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The therapeutic management of aortic stenosis has been drastically changed by the advent of percutaneous valve replacement (TAVI). Since the first implantation, the indications have progressively been extended from the inoperable patient to the patient at low surgical risk. The main objective of this review is to describe the currently recommended main indications of TAVI depending on an individualized assessment of each patient's risk, technical characteristics and anatomical valvular criteria.

At the present time, hazardous waste management is a major problem, like the waste containing asbestos. The development of a process for eradicating all types of asbestos waste is a real challenge. In this study, several usefully analysis techniques (XRD, SEM–EDX, and TEM) have been used to determine what kind of asbestos is present in the waste (amphiboles and/or chrysotile). The chrysotile-containing wastes were treated with nitric acid solution (HNO3) leading to obtain pure silica and an acidic solution. Alkaline treatment using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was also used in the case of waste-containing amphiboles. A basic solution of silica was then obtained. Finally a first valorization route was proposed with the precipitation of the ions dissolved in the acid solution and a second with the synthesis of a zeolite using the solid silica resulting from the acid treatment and the solution coming from the alkaline treatment of the amphiboles as sources of silicon. This paper describes the implementation of a complete process adapted to chemically dissolve each type of waste (according to their composition, density and fiber content) and to transform or recover all the by-products of the process.

International audience; High temperature, high pressure conditions were used to insert liquid bismuth in 4-6 nm diameter amorphous silica nanotubes. A combination of transmission electron microscopy and neutron powder diffrac-tion indicate that the final composite consists in 5-6 nm semi-conducting Bi nanowires confined in insulating mesoporous -quartz. Such a nanostructured material could be of considerable interest for thermo-electric applications. HIGHLIGHTS:  Bismuth was inserted into 4-6 nm silica nanotubes under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions  The host amorphous nanotubes crystallize in the form of -quartz  The obtained nanocomposite consists of 5-6 nm Bi nanowires imbedded in mesoporous -quartz  The formation of Bi nanowires modifies their physical properties compared to bulk Bi

International audience; GaAsO4 is the highest performance piezoelectric material of the MIIIXVO4 alpha-quartz type group. First principles based calculations of the pure FeAsO4 show that the piezoelectric properties are strongly improved by replacing Ga3+ by a chemical element of the d-bloc like Fe3+. For GaAsO4, our calculations give, d11 = 7.08 and d14 = 5.76 pC/N, while these values are significantly higher in FeAsO4 to reach d11 = 18.77 and d14 = 13.78 pC/N; about a factor of three greater than in GaAsO4 due to the increase of the elastic compliances of FeAsO4 with respect to GaAsO4. These results show that the electronic configuration and particularly the involvement of the d-orbitals in the M-O bonds in the MIIIO4 tetrahedron could be at the origin of this increasing. By considering a linear dependence of d11 or d14 between the parent compounds, GaAsO4 and FeAsO4, we get the following equations for the Ga(1-x)FexAsO4 solid solution: d11 [pC/N] = 11.689 xFe + 7.082 and d14 [pC/N] = 8.021 xFe + 5.762. These predictions motivated the first synthesis of mixed Ga(1-x)FexAsO4 solid solutions with x = 0,09; 0,18 and 0,45. The hydrated compounds, Ga1-xFexAsO4,2H2O, were obtained by hydrothermal synthesis and the alpha-quartz phases Ga1-xFexAsO4 were crystallized with a thermal treatment in an oven at 600 °C for 24h. XRD patterns show that the cell parameters are in accordance with a Vegard's law for the orthorhombic hydrated phases (Pbca space group) and for the trigonal dehydrated alpha-quartz phases (P3121 space group). Raman spectroscopy data obtained for the hydrated phases confirm the results of the literature on FeAsO4·2H2O, GaAsO4·2H2O and other arsenate analogues as well as their substituted analogues on the M and X sites. For the dehydrated alpha-quartz phases, all the main peaks observed in Raman spectra have been observed and the assigned by analyzing the experimental spectra measured in solid solutions and the calculated spectra in the parent end-member compounds. DFT calculations were used to identify the Raman vibrational modes. As in the case of GaAsO4, no libration mode of oxygen atoms is present for FeAsO4 that could lead to a very high thermal stability. These results prove the interest of α-quartz type FexGa1-xAsO4 solid solutions.

International audience; Single crystals of α-quartz type Si1−xGexO2 with x < 0.2 were grown in 0.05 M NaOH solution. Infrared measurements confirmed that crystals grown at high pressure and high temperature have a low –OH group defect content. After a few millimeters of crystal growth under these conditions, α3500 reaches 0.1 cm−1 and no free –OH are present. The d11 value measured on an X-cut from the crystal with x = 0.0375 is 3.08 pC N−1 (±0.15), in good agreement with the value of 2.97 pC N−1 obtained using density functional theory based calculations. Piezoelectric measurements were performed on the Si1−xGexO2 crystal with x = 0.0375, both at room temperature and after annealing at various temperatures. The piezoelectric signal of the crystal with x = 0.0375 and pure SiO2 disappears after annealing at 635 °C and 545 °C, respectively. Nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of Si1−xGexO2 crystals were measured by Maker's fringe technique on Z-cut χ11(2) and their corresponding values for x = 0.023 and 0.028 are 1.3(2) pm V−1 and 1.6(2) pm V−1, respectively. These values are in good agreement with density functional theory based calculations. The light induced damage threshold values measured on Si1−xGexO2 crystals with x = 0.023 and 0.028 are very similar to that of α-quartz.

Resume Introduction Une lesion osseuse osteolytique n’est pas toujours revelatrice d’une pathologie neoplasique. Observation Nous rapportons l’observation d’une femme de 82 ans splenectomisee dont le bilan de douleurs sous-costales revelait une masse hepatique calcifiee et une lesion vertebrale osteolytique de L5 attribuee a une localisation osseuse d’echinococcose alveolaire. Ce diagnostic etait base sur l’aspect typique de la masse hepatique heterogene associee a une serologie positive pour l’echinococcose alveolaire. Conclusion A notre connaissance, il s’agit du premier cas d’echinococcose alveolaire chez un patient splenectomise. Cet antecedent pourrait avoir constitue un facteur de dissemination du parasite.

A1. Solubility A1. Hydrothermal crystal growth A1. Single crystal growth A2. Growth from solutions B1. Arsenates B2. Piezoelectric materials abstract GaAsO4 crystals were grown by a hydrothermal epitaxial process. Microcrystalline GaAsO4 powder was first synthesized by hydrothermal methods by using GaAs as a starting material in a sulfuric acid solvent under oxidizing conditions. Experimental conditions were optimized and the yield of the nutrient synthesis reached 88%. GaAsO4 powder was then used as the nutrient for growing GaAsO4 single crystals by epitaxy on (21 oriented GaPO4, AlPO4 and GaAsO4 plates. Crystal growth was performed in a horizontal PTFE-lined autoclave divided into two parts using sulfuric acid as the solvent under a slow heating gradient. Hydrothermal conditions were optimized in order to improve the crystal quality. The influence of the nature and orientation of the seeds on the growth rate was studied. From the solubility curve, the solute supply ΔS as a function of temperature during the growth process was calculated. Transparent crystals were obtained with ΔS between 0.002 and 0.009 mol/L. Large crystals (3.9 � 1.8 � 1.4 cm 3 ) of gallium arsenate were obtained. These crystals were cut into (210), (010) and (001) plates. Mapping using Raman spectroscopy was performed in order to study the growth recovery on the seed. GaAsO4 crystals were characterized by infrared spectroscopy in order to quantify the amount of OH groups in the crystal structure. A low value of the absorption coefficient α at 3300 cm � 1 was measured 0.067 cm � 1 indicating a good crystal quality. Optical measurements were performed on GaAsO4 crystals by UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometry. Gallium arsenate exhibits the highest value of birefringence in the α-quartz group with Δn¼0.033. The transmission in the spectral region above 250 nm yields a bandgap of 5.85 eV. Piezoelectric properties were measured on resonators. An electromechanical coupling coefficient of 20% was measured which is the highest in the α-quartz group. A quality factor QF of 3.2 � 10 10 was obtained on a Y-cut plate. The C66 elastic constant was found

Mucormycoses are rare but emerging diseases with poor prognosis caused by ubiquitous fungi from the environment. In November 2008, our teaching hospital experienced three cutaneous mucormycosis due to Lichtheimia spp. (ex Absidia/Mycocladus) in the intensive care and orthopaedic units. Environmental and epidemiological investigations suggested a possible cross-transmission of L. ramosa between two patients in intensive care. This is the first report of possible person-to-person transmission of mucormycosis species. These cases show the ineffectiveness of hydro-alcoholic solutions against spores and underline the need to respect standard precautions to prevent fungi dissemination.

The adherence and properties of p-type PbSe layer grown on CaF2//Si(1 1 1) by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) can be improved using an additional stage, corresponding to a CaF2 layer annealing under selenium flux. Reflective high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) measurements demonstrate that this step leads to the formation of CaSe nuclei. The best crystalline quality of PbSe layers is reached with high PbSe growth rates corresponding to a thick PbSe coalescence layer. In contrast, electrical properties are not easily controllable by the Se/PbSe flux ratio adjustment.

The presence of contamination at the Pb/p-PbSe interface corresponding to a Schottky contact leads to the formation of an n-type inversion layer resulting in an ohmic behaviour. In this work, the PbSe oxidation kinetics by air exposure is studied using XPS and AES measurements. We found that an oxide layer is formed at the surface, containing PbO and SeO2 compounds. Secondly, the oxide layer dissolution in KOH-based solutions is investigated. A C- and O-decontaminated PbSe surface is obtained after a few minutes soaking in a bath containing ethylene glycol as solvent. Auger microanalysis demonstrates that the decontaminated surface is made of PbxSe with x

In this paper, the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) technique is applied to IV–VI semiconducting materials such as PbSe. It is of interest to realize heterostructures with infrared (IR) detection properties on a Si wafer in order to obtain a compact optoelectronic device. Because of the lattice mismatch between PbSe and Si, a layer of CaF 2 is used as a buffer layer with intermediary physico-chemical parameters. The study presented in this paper is divided into two ways: optimization of the first interface CaF 2 /Si and the second interface. The annealing under vacuum of calcium fluoride film prepared by MBE is characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy, RHEED and atomic force microscopy. This treatment shows at low temperature (200°C) a weak oxidization, for temperatures above 600°C a surface rearrangement due to diffusion of CaF 2 molecules and for temperatures above 900°C CaF 2 molecular desorption. With optimization of the second interface PbSe/CaF 2 annealing of the CaF 2 surface under selenium flux enables CaF 2 surface stabilization over the 200–500°C temperature range. This treatment avoids surface oxidization and leads to a significant Se incorporation from 400°C necessary for good growth of the PbSe layer.

Two rickettsial isolates recovered from Ixodes ricinus ticks in Puy-de-Dome (Central France) were characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blot immunoassay, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, and sequencing of a portion of the citrate-synthase gene. By these methods, the isolates appeared to be identical to a member of the spotted fever group rickettsiae, Rickettsia helvetica. This first isolation of Rickettsia helvetica in France has epidemiologic importance; a serosurvey on Mediterranean spotted fever conducted previously in Puy-de-Dome, where the infection is not endemic, demonstrated a high seroprevalence of nonspecific antibodies directed against spotted fever group rickettsiae lipopolysaccharides, and thus the possibility of infection due to a rickettsia different from Rickettsia conorii was suggested. The isolation of Rickettsia helvetica in anthropophilic ticks in the same area further supports this hypothesis.

The growth of PbSe layer on Si(111) substrate via a CaF 2 thin buffer layer was realized by Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE). The process for forming native sulfide films by chemical and anodic sulfidization is described. These methods, frequently used for III–V and II–VI materials, have not been yet studied for the PbSe surface passivation. The structural characterizations were realized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A comparative study between MBE, air exposure and passivated surfaces is developed. An AES semi-quantitative calculation allows to estimate the sulfur penetration thickness of about 15 A. The good chemical passivation and the stability in the time is shown.

Two rickettsial isolates recovered from Ixodes ricinus ticks in Puy-de-Dôme (Central France) were characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blot immunoassay, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, and sequencing of a portion of the citrate-synthase gene. By these methods, the isolates appeared to be identical to a member of the spotted fever group rickettsiae, Rickettsia helvetica. This first isolation of Rickettsia helvetica in France has epidemiologic importance; a serosurvey on Mediterranean spotted fever conducted previously in Puy-de-Dôme, where the infection is not endemic, demonstrated a high seroprevalence of nonspecific antibodies directed against spotted fever group rickettsiae lipopolysaccharides, and thus the possibility of infection due to a rickettsia different from Rickettsia conorii was suggested. The isolation of Rickettsia helvetica in anthropophilic ticks in the same area further supports this hypothesis.

The process for forming native sulfide films on p-PbSe layer (p-PbSe/CaF{sub 2}//Si(111) structures obtained by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE)) by chemical and electrochemical sulfur treatments is described. These frequently used methods, have not yet been studied for PbSe layer passivation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements show the disappearance of carbon and oxygen contamination after sulfidation. A semi-quantitative analysis obtained from Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) spectra show sulfur and oxygen variation as a function of reagent concentration, sulfidation time, and applied potential. The thickness of sulfur penetration was estimated to be about 15 {angstrom} for the chemical treatment and greater than 30 {angstrom} for the electrochemical one. The surface morphology following these treatments was observed by atomic force microscopy. Annealing experiments show that a quasi-layer of PbS was formed on the PbSe surface. Chemical passivation and stability of the PbSe surface over a period of two months was demonstrated.

Confrontes aux problemes sanitaires poses par l'utilisation d'eaux residuaires traitees pour leur utilisation tres particuliere dans l'irrigation par aeroaspersion de culture de mais selection, les auteurs ont compare les qualites bacteriologiques et parasitologiques des eaux traitees qui sont soumises a des normes et des eaux superficielles qui ne le sont pas. Ils concluent a la necessite d'affiner les normes selon les pays et d'elaborer une reglementation prenant en compte la qualite des eaux superficielles.

Heterostructures of IV–VI compounds, such as epitaxial films of PbSe grown on Si(111) via a CaF 2 layer, have been the object of increasing scientific interest in the last few years because of their detection properties. A monolithic integration of the I-R detection functions is possible on an Si conventional read-out electronics. The high mismatch and the difference of the thermal expansion coefficients between Si and PbSe require the use of a buffer layer of CaF 2 . The CaF 2 /Si(111) interface has been widely studied but PbSe/CaF 2 belongs to a group of interfaces which has been rarely studied. Annealing of the CaF 2 surface under Se flux in the range 200–600°C shows the incorporation of Se into the CaF 2 surface at a temperature higher than the growth temperature. The Se incorporation increases the stability of the CaF 2 surface, avoids its oxidation and creates nucleation sites for PbSe. The optimization of the subsequent buffer layer is a key problem in the growth process. On a Se-terminated CaF 2 surface, the first stage of the PbSe nucleation has been studied by AES, RHEED, XPS and AFM.

A new immunoelectrophoresis system, the Paragon system, was evaluated in three different hospital centres with the aim of improving standardization of the serodiagnosis of human aspergillosis. To select the most efficient antigen, various commercial and home-made antigens were first tested on 19 sera from 19 patients with highly probable aspergillosis. The value measured using the Paragon anti-Aspergillus antibody detection system was then compared with the results obtained by conventional serological diagnostic methods (conventional immunoelectrophoresis, enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay, indirect immunofluorescence): this step was performed using the first 19 sera as well as 16 other sera from 13 patients with suspected aspergillosis. Concordant results were obtained in 28 cases. The discrepancies observed with seven sera were probably related to differences in the nature of the antigens. Paragon immunoelectrophoresis proved to be a practicable technique requiring only a small amount of serum and giving results within a shorter time than competitive methods (24-48 h). Its major drawbacks compared with conventional immunoelectrophoresis are some difficulties in reading, fewer precipitin lines and the relatively high cost of routine analysis.

Osteolytic lesions are not always related to malignancies.We report an 82-year-old woman suffering from subcostal pain. The patient underwent a splenectomy 40 years previously. CT-scan and MRI highlighted a calcified hepatic lesion associated with an osteolytic lesion of the L5 vertebra. Osteolytic and hepatic lesions were attributed to an alveolar echinococcosis based on positive serological assays.To our knowledge, this is the first report of an alveolar echinococcosis in a patient with splenectomy and secondary lesions. We suggest that the splenectomy could have promoted the parasite spreading to vertebra.

Resume L'infection systemique a Malassezia furfur (Mf) n'est habituellement observee que chez les nouveau-nes et chez les malades immunodeprimes. Observation. - Un garcon de 2 ans 8 mois a ete par chimiotherapie pour un lymphome lymphoblastique T mediastinal avec envahissement leucemique. Une rechute meningee a ete observee 10 mois plus tard, necessitant une polychimiotherapie et une irradiation du systeme nerveux central. Une autogreffe de moelle osseuse a ete realisee 4 mois plus tard; un episode febrile a ete observe 3 jours apres, en phase d'aplasie, necessitant l'administration de ceftazidime, d'amikacine, de vancomycine et d'aciclovir. Ce traitement a ensuite ete modifie et complete par amphotericine B, cefotaxime et erythromycine. Les hemocultures ont ete negatives mais les frottis sanguins ont mis en evidence des levures dans les polynucleaires apres cytocentrifugation; ces levures correspondaient a du Mf qui etait egalement present au niveau du catheter central retire apres quelques jours de traitement par amphotericine B, flucytosine et fluconazole. L'enfant a alors ete traite par du GM-CSF par voie souscutanee (5 μg/kg/j). Ce traitement a amene la disparition progressive de l'aplasie et la guerison de l'infection a Mf. Conclusion. - Cette observation represente un nouveau cas d'infection systemique a Mf observee chez un enfant immunodeprime, recevant par ailleurs une nutrition parenterale lipidique.

The dissolution of Si(1-x)Ge(x)O(2) solid solutions under hydrothermal conditions was studied by in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Experiments were performed at the Ge K-edge using a high-pressure cell mounted on the FAME beamline of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Spectra in both transmission and fluorescence mode were collected in isobaric conditions (100 and 150 MPa) up to 475 °C. The local atomic structure around the Ge atom was investigated as a function of the temperature and in pure water and sodium hydroxide solutions. In pure water, the solubility of the cristobalite-type Si(0.8)Ge(0.2)O(2) increases with the temperature and the Ge atom is in 4-fold coordination. In a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution, a complex between Ge and Na atoms forms and gives rise to precipitation of sodium germanates. Under these conditions, the Ge content in the solution decreases with increasing temperature. These results show that a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution, usually used for quartz crystal growth, is not suitable for Ge-containing crystals. The dissolution kinetics and phase transformation of the solid solution were studied as a function of the atomic fraction of Ge. Ge-rich solid solutions dissolve and transform to stable phases faster than Ge-poorer composition, giving rise to important variations of the Ge content in solution.

Single crystals of α-quartz type Si1-xGexO2 are prepared by the temperature gradient hydrothermal method in Ni—Cr autoclaves using pure water and crystobalite-type Si0.8Ge0.2O2 (

International audience; The substitution of germanium in the α-quartz structure is a method investigated to improve the piezoelectric properties and the thermal stability of α-quartz. Growth of α-quartz type Si(1-x)Ge(x)O(2) single crystals was performed using a temperature gradient hydrothermal method under different experimental conditions (pressure, temperature, nature of the solvent, and the nutrient). To avoid the difference of dissolution kinetics between pure SiO(2) and pure GeO(2), single phases Si(1-x)Ge(x)O(2) solid solutions were prepared and used as nutrients. The influence of the nature (cristobalite-type, glass) and the composition of this nutrient were also studied. Single crystals were grown in aqueous NaOH (0.2-1 M) solutions and in pure water. A wide range of pressures (95-280 MPa) and temperatures (315-505 °C) was investigated. Structures of single crystals with x = 0.07, 0.1, and 0.13 were refined, and it was shown that the structural distortion (i.e., θ and δ) increases with the atomic fraction of Ge in an almost linear way. Thus, the piezoelectric properties of Si(1-x)Ge(x)O(2) solid solution should increase with x, and this material could be a good candidate for technological applications requiring a high piezoelectric coupling factor or high thermal stability.

International audience; In 2002, the French Food Safety Agency drew attention to the lack of information on the prevalence of human cryptosporidiosis in the country. Two years later, the ANOFEL Cryptosporidium National Network (ACNN) was set up to provide public health authorities with data on the incidence and epidemiology of human cryptosporidiosis in France. Constituted on a voluntary basis, ACNN includes 38 hospital parasitology laboratories (mainly in university hospitals). Each laboratory is engaged to notify new cases of confirmed human cryptosporidiosis, store specimens (e.g. stools, duodenal aspirates or biopsies) and related clinical and epidemiological data, using data sheet forms. From January 2006 to December 2009, 407 cryptosporidiosis cases were notified in France and 364 specimens were collected. Of the notified cases, 74 were children under four years of age, accounting for 18.2%. HIV-infected and immunocompetent patients represented 38.6% (n=157) and 28% (n=114) of cases, respectively. A marked seasonal pattern was observed each year, with increased number of cases in mid to late summer and the beginning of autumn. Genotyping of 345 isolates from 310 patients identified C. parvumin 168 (54.2%) cases, C. hominis in 113 (36.4%) and other species in 29 (9.4%), including C. felis (n=15), C. meleagridis (n=4), C. canis (n=4), Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype (n=1), Cryptosporidium rabbit genotype (n=1) and new Cryptosporidium genotypes (n=4). These data represent the first multisite report of laboratory-confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis in France.

International audience; The structure of glasses in the binary system SiO2-GeO2 has been studied by Raman spectroscopy. Our results are consistent with mixing of SiO2 and GeO2 tetrahedra. The changes induced by temperature and by pressure on the structure are monitored by in situ measurements on the same mixed glasses. Anomalous temperature dependences are observed not only for SiO2 glass and GeO2 glass but also for mixed glasses. Particular attention is focused on the pressure densification mechanism in mixed glasses. Via the pressure dependence of the width of the main Raman band, we show that the compression mechanism in mixed glasses is intermediate between that of the end members.

A sensitive, rapid and specific diagnostic method is essential for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised hosts or in congenital infection. We report the development of a real-time PCR assay for quantitative diagnosis of toxoplasmosis with competitive internal amplification control. This PCR was applied after allogeneic stem cell transplantation to estimate the frequency of reactivation.Primers and Taqman probe (FAM-BHQ1) were designed to amplify the 529 bp element of T. gondii. The internal amplification control was developed by cloning a fragment of Arabidopsis thaliana DNA flanked by sequences specific for T. gondii 529 bp element. A Taqman probe specific for the competitive internal control was designed and tested (YY-BHQ1). We determined the repeatability and reproducibility of the method. A prospective study was performed on adults who received an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. After transplantation, patients were monitored once per week during the first 100 days; they were then monitored once every 2 weeks until day 180 after transplantation (i.e., day +180).A total of 451 samples from 40 patients were tested. Twenty-five patients had both positive toxoplasmosis serology and an adequate chemoprophylaxis. One sample from one patient was found positive. The rate of reactivation in the population of this study is 4%.A monitoring by T. gondii PCR should be realized weekly for patients receiving an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, without an adequate chemoprophylaxis.

alpha-quartz-type Si1−xGexO2 solid solutions (x=0.06, 0.11, and 0.24) and pure SiO2 were investigated by Raman spectroscopy. Coupled and decoupled vibrational modes were identified at room temperature as a function of composition. Tetrahedral tilting librational modes involved in the displacive alpha beta-quartz phase transition are decoupled. The wave number of the coupled A1 mode located at 464 cm−1 for pure alpha-quartz was found to vary quite linearly with germanium content. Raman spectra were recorded up to 1473 K. Substitution of germanium in the quartz lattice clearly improves the thermal stability of the alpha phase. The alpha beta-quartz phase transition temperature increases from 846±1 K for x=0 to about 1300±50 K for x=0.24. At the same time, the dynamic disorder observed in quartz well below the transition is reduced in the solid solutions.

Al(1−x)GaxPO4 solid solutions (x= 0.14, 0.2, and 0.63) were studied at high temperature up to 1173 K by neutron total scattering. Rietveld refinements confirm the presence of the β-quartz-type structure for the lowest Ga content. On the basis of the refinement of the average structure at high temperature, the Al−O and Ga−O distances cannot be distinguished and all intratetrahedral bond distances decrease, which is not reasonable when compared to the thermal expansion behavior of this material. This apparent behavior is due to the presence of a high degree of dynamic disorder at high temperature. In contrast, reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) modeling of neutron total scattering data gives the instantaneous structure in which the two bonds (Al−O) at ∼1.75 A and (Ga−O) at ∼1.84 A are partially resolved and increase in length with temperature. The Ga content of the solid solutions is found to modify the structural geometry at high temperature. Increasing the Ga content reduces the Al−O−P angles compared to pure AlPO...

Al(1−x)GaxPO4 solid solutions (x= 0.14, 0.2, and 0.63) were studied at high temperature up to 1173 K by neutron total scattering. Rietveld refinements confirm the presence of the β-quartz-type structure for the lowest Ga content. On the basis of the refinement of the average structure at high temperature, the Al−O and Ga−O distances cannot be distinguished and all intratetrahedral bond distances decrease, which is not reasonable when compared to the thermal expansion behavior of this material. This apparent behavior is due to the presence of a high degree of dynamic disorder at high temperature. In contrast, reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) modeling of neutron total scattering data gives the instantaneous structure in which the two bonds (Al−O) at ∼1.75 A and (Ga−O) at ∼1.84 A are partially resolved and increase in length with temperature. The Ga content of the solid solutions is found to modify the structural geometry at high temperature. Increasing the Ga content reduces the Al−O−P angles compared to pure AlPO...

French and European legislation concerning waste requires studies to be performed on the recycling of products issued from commercial electronic devices. Cathode ray tubes (CRT), and in particular glasses which constitute them, are of major interest. The chemical composition of these glasses is very important. Screen glass is composed of 8-12 wt% BaO and 6-10 wt% SrO and the cone glass which has a lower wall thickness than that of the screen contains 19-23% PbO. Previous characterizations of these special glasses led us to propose a way of recycling in which used CRT glass could be treated in order to respond to the legislation. Foam glass could be a possible solution to convert CRT glass into a material with very promising properties. A systematic study of the process parameters showed the possibility of modifying the properties of the porous material. The density can vary from 0.4 to 0.8 g.cm and the mechanical stress with a uniaxial compressive loading from 20 to 60 MPa. The materials have good insulation properties: thermal conductivity K inferior to 0.25 WmK and er between 2.1 and 3.1 at 25°C. They are non-combustible (like the bulk glass), they resist corrosion in any environment and they present a low thermal expansion coefficient.

New re-use applications are needed to address the relatively large quantity of waste electronic products generated in the world. Cathode-ray tubes (CRTs) from computer monitors and TV sets are a large component of such waste. The three glass components of CRTs are the funnel, panel and neck, which are produced by various manufacturers and are now collected by asset-recovery centres. In this paper, we characterize waste funnel and panel glass from dismantled cathode-ray tubes with a view to assisting the development of new re-use applications. The heavy metal (lead, barium, and strontium) content of such glass represents an acute risk to the environment. Our results of the chemical composition for different kinds of waste CRT glass including black & white and color CRTs show that CRT glass from different producers have generally similar chemical compositions. In particular, the compositions of funnel and panel black & white CRT glass are similar, but are different to those of panel and funnel color CRT glass. We also measured the following specific properties of each type of CRT glass: density, glass transition temperature, and linear coefficient of thermal expansion. It was found that the coefficients of thermal expansion of CRT glass do not vary with their composition. In contrast, the measured densities and glass transition temperatures do vary with composition. On the basis of our experimental data and data found in the literature, we outline the main properties of several waste CRT glass currently in circulation. The aim of this study was to provide the data required to determine if this kind of waste could be entirely (or partially) re-used and to aid the search for promising methods of treatment.

Display tubes such as those used in TV receivers and computer monitors have an evacuated glass envelope, which consists mainly of a screen (front component) and a funnel (back component hidden inside the TV set or monitor). These two components have different compositions: the screen is composed of lead-free glass with strontium and barium oxides, whereas the funnel is composed of glass with lead oxides. In order to comply with future government measures, a method is required for the recycling or re-utilisation of CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) glasses in end-of-life electronic goods. One open-loop recycling method is to create foam glasses from CRTs using a reducing agent. The results for the chemical compositions of these glasses and their physical properties showed that foam glasses can be prepared from glasses from various CRT glassmakers. In this paper, we use several methods to determine the structures of these foam glasses. We use helium pycnometry, Hg porosimetry, specific surface area measurements and scanning electron microscopy as direct methods for determining foam glass structure. These methods provide information about the morphologies and reactivities of these porous materials. Densities, porosities and pore size distributions were measured, which enable us to suggest some potential applications for the fabricated foam glasses.

Research into the recycling of electronics waste materials, such as cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and in particular their component glasses, is required by both French and European legislation. One possible solution to the problem of CRT glass waste is to convert it into foam glass, a material with very promising properties. Foam glasses can be prepared from CRT glasses containing heavy elements (lead, barium) through reaction with a reducing agent such as TiN or SiC. The present experimental study sought to determine the mechanism of foam glass formation and the structural differences between bulk and foam glasses. Additionally, the specific characteristics of bulk and foam glasses such as density, porosity, thermal and mechanical properties were determined, as well as their structural characteristics, using X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results indicate that reutilisation of CR...

Foam glasses can be prepared from lead silicate glasses through reaction with a reducing agent such as TiN or SiC. The environmental impact and specific characteristics of the final product (e.g., density, porosity, and thermal and mechanical properties) depend on the reaction processes that occur during expansion. The mechanisms of foam glass formation are determined in this study from experimental results, which we also use to determine the structural differences between the bulk (lead silicate glass before treatment) and foam glass (after heating the lead silicate glass with a reducing agent). This paper also presents measurements of the variation of the concentration of the divalent cation Pb(II) in the vitreous network (which initially contains 2–5 mol% PbO) during the expansion process. These results were obtained with various methods, including X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry. Our results show that a small proportion (about 20%) of the initial Pb(II) in network modifying sites is reduced to Pb metal, and the remaining proportion is present in the vitreous network as Pb(II) with another particular environment. Increasing the amount of SiC or TiN results in increased reduction of Pb(II). The quantity of the reducing agent can be optimized with respect to the temperature, pressure, and reaction rate.

International audience; Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the antifungal agent voriconazole were determined using the Etest(R) and compared with those of amphotericin B. itraconazole and fluconazole using 1986 clinical isolates of Candida spp. Voriconazole MICs were also compared with those of amphotericin B and itraconazole using 391 clinical isolates of Aspergillus spp. Voriconazole was found to have more potent activity and lower MIC values than amphotericin B, itraconazole and fluconazole against C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C. kefyr. Against C. glabrata and C. krusei, voriconazole was more active than either of the other two azole antifungals but had similar activity to amphotericin B. For species of Aspergillus, MIC values of voriconazole were lower than those of amphotericin B and itraconazole against A. fumigatus and A. flavus, and were similar to those of amphotericin B against A. niger. Against A. terreus, MIC values for voriconazole and itraconazole were similar. A. terreus is known to be resistant to amphotericin B, and this was reflected in higher MIC values compared with those of voriconazole and itraconazole. Voriconazole therefore compares very favourably with other antifungal agents against a large number of clinical isolates of Candida and Aspergillus spp.

An in vivo method was developed in order to study the photostability of UV filters in a sunscreen. This method assesses sunscreen photostability in the emulsion after direct interaction with the skin. For this purpose UV filters were recovered from volunteers' forearms by using the stripping technique, then extracted from tapes and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The photostability of the filters tested was evaluated by comparing the amount of filters recovered from the strippings of UV-irradiated skin (40 minimal erythema dose, or MED) versus non-irradiated skin. Sequential analysis of several successive tapes reflected the distribution profile of the filters in the stratum corneum. Photochemical change was observed for one filter: it was shown to undergo a photochemical modification with the appearance of an additional HPLC peak. Moreover, UV filters tested displayed a high affinity for the stratum corneum but presented different distribution profiles. This in vivo method takes into account the interaction of the sunscreen agents with the stratum corneum. Furthermore, unlike spectrometric methods usually used for photostability assessment, it gives quantitative data for each individual filter of a finished product by using an HPLC technique.

Exogenous fungal endophthalmitis is a rare postoperative and posttraumatic complication with, often, a dreadful prognosis. We report one case of Absidia corymbifera endophthalmitis after penetrating injury with a retained intraocular vegetable foreign body. We focus on the risk factors for the development of fungal endophthalmitis (vegetable foreign body, corticotherapy) and the importance of ocular fluid samples for stain and appropriate culture. In this case, the treatment associating contaminated tissue extraction and systemic and intravitreal administration of antifungal agents was efficient.

Geotrichum capitatum sepsis are rare, occurring exclusively in immunocompromised patients.We report the case of a patient with acute leukemia, presenting with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and hospitalized in an intensive care unit for a severe sepsis. In spite of an antibiotic and antifungal treatment, the patient died of cardiorespiratory failure. Later on, blood cultures proved to be positive for Geotrichum capitatum.If fungal infections are common in neutropenic patients, Geotrichum capitatum sepsis remain exceptional. The portal of entry is digestive or respiratory, and the invasion is favored by immunodepression and suppression of the normal microbial flora. Induced lesions can be multiorganic. The treatment is not well established, and the association of either amphotericine B and 5-fluorocytosine or amphotericine B and itraconazole would lead to better results. Nevertheless, the prognosis is still unfavorable, with a mortality rate of approximately 75%.

The investigation of a trichinosis outbreak in Auvergne, France identified 23 cases in 12 households living in two cities-Clermont-Ferrand and Montluçon-between 15 February and 7 March 1991. One patient required intensive care, 15 had major symptoms, and seven had minor or no symptoms. Two case control studies demonstrated a significant (p0.01) association between eating horse meat and acute trichinosis. Veterinary services found that three supermarkets where the patients had bought horse meat during the suspected period had been supplied by a single wholesaler. The analysis of the wholesaler's records revealed that the implicated horse meat had been imported from a slaughterhouse in the United States. This outbreak occurred despite a requirement in France for all meat from horses slaughtered in France and in countries exporting meat to France to be examined systematically for trichinella.

A new immunoelectrophoresis system, the Paragon system, was evaluated in three different hospital centres with the aim of improving standardization of the serodiagnosis of human aspergillosis. To select the most efficient antigen, various commercial and home-made antigens were first tested on 19 sera from 19 patients with highly probable aspergillosis. The value measured using the Paragon anti-Aspergillus antibody detection system was then compared with the results obtained by conventional serological diagnostic methods (conventional immunoelectrophoresis, enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay, indirect immunofluorescence): this step was performed using the first 19 sera as well as 16 other sera from 13 patients with suspected aspergillosis. Concordant results were obtained in 28 cases. The discrepancies observed with seven sera were probably related to differences in the nature of the antigens. Paragon immunoelectrophoresis proved to be a practicable technique requiring only a small amount of serum and giving results within a shorter time than competitive methods (24-48 h). Its major drawbacks compared with conventional immunoelectrophoresis are some difficulties in reading, fewer precipitin lines and the relatively high cost of routine analysis.

Systemic Malassezia furfur (Mf) infections are only seen in neonates and immunocompromised patients.A 2-year-8-month-old boy was given chemotherapy for mediastinal T cell lymphoma. Meningeal relapse supervened 10 months later, requiring polychemotherapy plus CNS irradiation followed by bone marrow transplantation. Three days after transplantation, fever associated with neutropenia required administration of ceftazidime, amikacin, vancomycin plus acyclovir followed by amphotericin B, cefotaxime plus erythromycin. Blood cultures were negative, but blood swears showed yeasts into polynuclear cells after cytocentrifugation; these yeasts were also present in the central catheter removed after a few days course of amphotericin B, flucytosine plus fluconazole. The patient was then given GM-CSF subcutaneously (5 micrograms/kg/day), followed by progressive correction of aplasia and cure of the Mf infection.This is a new case of systemic Mf infection seen in an immunocompromised child receiving parenteral nutrition with lipids.

Between August 1991 and August 1993, 75 patients (42 male) with Wolff Parkinson White syndrome (43 concealed) were subjected to radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathways at our institution. 55 had left, 8 postero septal, 2 anteroseptal and 10 right accessory pathways. A retrograde aortic technique with placement of the ablation catheter in close proximity to the mitral annulus was used for most of the patients with left accessory pathways and for some with posteroseptal pathways. The right, anteroseptal and some posteroseptal pathways were ablated using a right heart approach placing the ablation catheter in the tricuspid annulus. Ablation was successful in 61 patients (81%). One subject developed a fatal cardiac tamponade after a transeptal catheterization and was unrelated to the ablation per se. It is concluded that radiofrequency ablation of accessory pathways is a curative procedure for a great majority of patients with Wolf Parkinson White syndrome.

We report two cases of semi-invasive pulmonary aspergillosis with a thoracic wall extension in the first case and a parietal vasculitis without Aspergillus invasion in the second. Semi-invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is an identifiable entity. It is characterized by impairment of local pulmonary defense mechanisms and/or a mild systemic immunosuppression as well as a slowly progressive course. Pulmonary symptoms are not specific. The thoracic wall involvement subsequent to a contiguous pulmonary lesion occurs rarely and indicates poor prognosis. CT scan improves diagnosis significantly, confirmed by histology and/or by the biopsy growth of Aspergillus. Itraconazole, tolerated better than amphotericin B, is an efficient treatment though prognosis remains poor (28% of deaths). Detection of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (diffuse cytoplasmic staining) evolving conversely to this disease seems to be associated with infectious vasculitis. These antibodies are found in vasculitis and especially in Wegener's granulomatosis with a high specificity. They have also been described in a few patients with infectious diseases.

78 consecutive cases of PCP have been analysed: 59 (75.6%) cases were associated with HIV infection and 19 (24.4%) cases were associated with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies at advanced stage of the disease and renal transplantation. It could suggest primary prevention for such patients.