Search

Introduction Thymomas are rare intrathoracic malignancies that may be aggressive and difficult to treat. Knowledge and level of evidence for treatment strategies are mainly based on retrospective studies or expert opinion. Currently there is no strong evidence that postoperative radiotherapy after complete resection of localized thymoma is associated with survival benefit in patients. RADIORYTHMIC is a phase III, randomized trial aiming at comparing postoperative radiotherapy versus surveillance after complete resection of Masaoka-Koga stage IIb/III thymoma. Systematic central pathologic review will be performed before patient enrollment as per the RYTHMIC network pathway. Patients and Methods Three hundred fourteen patients will be included; randomization 1:1 will attribute either postoperative radiotherapy (50-54 Gy to the mediastinum using intensity-modulated radiation therapy or proton beam therapy) or surveillance. Stratification criteria include histologic grading (thymoma type A, AB, B1 vs B2, B3), stage, and delivery of preoperative chemotherapy. Patient recruitment will be mainly made through the French RYTHMIC network of 15 expert centers participating in a nationwide multidisciplinary tumor board. Follow-up will last 7 years. The primary endpoint is recurrence-free survival. Secondary objectives include overall survival, assessment of acute and late toxicities, and analysis of prognostic and predictive biomarkers. Results The first patient will be enrolled in January 2021, with results expected in 2028.

Sponges accommodate a diverse group of microorganisms with varied metabolic capabilities. The bacterial associates of sponges are widely studied while our understanding of archaeal counterparts is scanty. In the present study, we report the archaeal associates of two sponges, Pseudoceratina purpurea (NCBI barcode: KX454492) and Cinachyra sp. (NCBI barcode: KX454495), found in the coral reef ecosystems of Gulf of Mannar, India. Archaea in the water column was predominated by members of class Halobacteria of Phylum Euryarchaeota (97%) followed by a minor fraction (3%) of Nitrosopumilus sp. of phylum Thaumarchaeota. Interestingly, Thaumarchaeota was identified as the sole archaeal population associated with the two sponges studied, among which Nitrosopumilus sp. occuppied 80 and 100% of the sequences in the clone library of P. purpurea and Cinachyra sp. respectively. Other archaea found in the P. purpurea were Nitrososphaera (10%) and unclassified ones (10%). The study identified Nitrosopumilus sp. as a unique symbiotic archaeon of sponges, P. purpurea and Cinachyra sp. The existence of host driven factors in selecting specific associates from a diverse group of archaea in the environment may need further investigations.

The slow solvent evaporation technique has been employed for the synthesis of l-arginine perchlorate (LAPCl) single crystals. The grown crystals are doped with 1, 2 and 3 mol% of MnCl2. The Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) analysis confirmed that the pure and doped crystals belong to the orthorhombic crystal system with non-centrosymmetric space group P212121. The incorporation of dopants has been confirmed by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX). The modification in the linear optical properties has been analyzed by measuring the cut off wavelength, band gap, Urbach energy and the refractive index of the pure and doped crystals. The changes in the nonlinearity of the LAPCl have been studied by open aperture Z-scan technique and found that two-photon absorption (2PA) coefficient increased with increasing the dopant concentration. The dielectric properties, electronic polarizability and thermal properties of the pure and doped crystals are also studied.

Single crystals of l -Arginine Maleate Dihydrate (LAMD) have been synthesized by slow solvent evaporation technique and irradiated with 6 MeV electrons at fluences of 0.5 × 10 15 e / cm 2 , 1.0 × 10 15 e / cm 2 and 1.5 × 10 15 e / cm 2 . The Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) studies showed that the intensity of the diffraction peaks of the Electron Beam (EB) irradiated crystals decreases with irradiation fluence. The electron irradiation induced effects on the optical parameters such as cut-off wavelength, band gap, Urbach energy and refractive index have been studied and the results are tabulated. The electronic parameters such as valence electron plasma energy, ℏ ω p , Penn gap, E p , Fermi energy, E F and Electronic polarizability, α for pure and irradiated LAMD crystals are calculated. The electrical and thermal properties of the pure and irradiated LAMD crystals are also investigated.

This paper attempts to elucidate the effect of 5 kGy and 8 kGy electron irradiation on the optical, thermal and electrical properties of a prominent amino acid crystal, L -Arginine Perchlorate (LAPCl) grown by low-temperature solution growth technique. Optical absorption studies revealed that the UV lower cut-off wavelength shift towards the higher wavelength region (Red shift), the optical band gap of LAPCl were found to be decreasing while the Urbach energy was found to be increasing with increasing the dosage of irradiation. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic result showed that peak intensities corresponding to typical bonding increase with the increase in electron beam irradiation dosage. Electrical studies revealed that the dielectric constant, loss and conductivity of the sample increases with increasing the dosage of irradiation. The behaviour of electrical properties on temperature and thermal properties has also been investigated.

EVA/ZnO nanocomposites of 1%, 2% and 4% ZnO were fabricated by direct probe sonicator method. The ZnO nanopowders were prepared by solvothermal method. As the particle size of the filler incorporated to the polymer matrix decreases, the properties of the polymer-filler interface show dominance over its bulk properties. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the composites at ambient temperatures are found to decrease with increasing frequency. The thermal analysis using TGA-DTA is also performed and it is found that the thermal stability of the nanocomposites increases with increasing the filler concentrations. The thermal parameters such as thermal diffusivity (α) and thermal effusivity (e), the thermal conductivity (k) and heat capacity (Cp) were studied using photopyroelectric technique. The band gap of the samples was also determined and found to decrease with increasing filler concentrations. The tensile strength and peel strength of the samples were also investigated and it is found to increase with small inclusion of filler material.

Mycotic keratitis (an infection of the cornea) is an important ocular infection, especially in young male outdoor workers. There are two frequent presentations: keratitis due to filamentous fungi (Fusarium, Aspergillus, phaeohyphomycetes and Scedosporium apiospermum are frequent causes) and keratitis due to yeast-like fungi (Candida albicans and other Candida species). In the former, trauma is usually the sole predisposing factor, although previous use of corticosteroids and contact lens wear are gaining importance as risk factors; in the latter, there is usually some systemic or local (ocular) defect. The clinical presentation and clinical features may suggest a diagnosis of mycotic keratitis; increasingly, in vivo (non-invasive) imaging techniques (confocal microscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography) are also being used for diagnosis. However, microbiological investigations, particularly direct microscopic examination and culture of corneal scrape or biopsy material, still form the cornerstone of diagnosis. In recent years, the PCR has gained prominence as a diagnostic aid for mycotic keratitis, being used to complement microbiological methods; more importantly, this molecular method permits rapid specific identification of the aetiological agent. Although various antifungal compounds have been used for therapy, management of this condition (particularly if deep lesions occur) continues to be problematic; topical natamycin and, increasingly, voriconazole (given by various routes) are key therapeutic agents. Therapeutic surgery, such as therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty, is needed when medical therapy fails. Increased awareness of the importance of this condition is likely to spur future research initiatives.

Although almost all organisms are equipped with antioxidant defense and repair systems that have evolved to protect them against oxidative damage, these systems are often inadequate to completely prevent oxidative stress-induced damage. Therefore, antioxidant supplements, or natural products containing antioxidants, may be used to help reduce oxidative damage to the human body. Mushrooms have been part of the normal human diet for thousands of years and, in recent times, the amounts consumed have risen greatly, involving a large number of species. The genus Pleurotus comprises 40 different species that are commonly referred to as “oyster mushrooms”. It has been shown to possess cholesterol-lowering, anti-tumor, antiviral, anti-thrombotic and immunomodulating effects. Pleurotus ostreatus contains higher concentrations of cystine, methionine and aspartic acid than other edible mushrooms, such as Agaricus bisporus (brown), A. bisporus (white) and Lentinus edodes. Until now, research has tended to focus on the dietary value of edible mushrooms; however, there is relatively little information pertaining to the antioxidant activity and the possible use of such mushrooms to neutralize oxidative stress. Hence, the aim of the present review was to summarize the in-vitro and in-vivo antioxidant effects of the mushroom P. ostreatus.

Differential expression of apoptotic genes has been demonstrated in selenite-induced cataract. Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR) has been shown to prevent selenite cataractogenesis by maintaining lenticular antioxidant enzyme and redox system components at near normal levels and also by inhibiting lenticular calpain activity. The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the possibility that ALCAR also prevents selenite-induced cataractogenesis by regulating the expression of antioxidant (catalase) and apoptotic [caspase-3, early growth response protein-1 (EGR-1) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COX-I)] genes. The experiment was conducted on 9-day-old Wistar rat pups, which were divided into normal, cataract-untreated and cataract-treated groups. Putative changes in gene expression in whole lenses removed from the rats were determined by measuring mRNA transcript levels of the four genes by RT-PCR analysis, using glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as an internal control. The expression of lenticular caspase-3 and EGR-1 genes appeared to be upregulated, as inferred by detecting increased mRNA transcript levels, while that of COX-I and catalase genes appeared to be downregulated (lowered mRNA transcript levels) in the lenses of cataract-untreated rats. However, in rats treated with ALCAR, the lenticular mRNA transcript levels were maintained at near normal (control) levels. These results suggest that ALCAR may prevent selenite-induced cataractogenesis by preventing abnormal expression of lenticular genes governing apoptosis.

Resume Les tumeurs epitheliales thymiques regroupent les thymomes, les carcinomes thymiques et les tumeurs neuro-endocrines. Rares, elles representent neanmoins 20 % des tumeurs du mediastin et 50 % de celles localisees dans le mediastin anterieur. Les thymomes, en particulier, peuvent etre associes a des manifestations auto-immunes, dont principalement la myasthenie. Leur evolutivite clinique est tres variable, depuis une relative indolence jusqu’au potentiel de metastases ganglionnaires et/ou systemiques. Cependant, meme les patients porteurs de tumeurs invasives ont une histoire clinique longue, expliquant que des delais de survie de dix a 20 ans apres le diagnostic ne sont pas toujours synonymes de guerison. En pratique, la classification anatomoclinique de Masaoka et la classification histologique de l’OMS conditionnent les strategies therapeutiques et permettent d’apprehender le pronostic. Leur traitement initial, et meme celui de la recidive, repose essentiellement sur une chirurgie complete. Une radiotherapie postoperatoire est systematiquement associee au traitement des formes invasives et/ou aux types histologiques agressifs. Les tumeurs inoperables ou metastatiques requierent une chimiotherapie neoadjuvante a base de cisplatine et d’anthracyclines, suivie d’une chirurgie radicale et/ou d’une radiotherapie.

The present study sought to evaluate the regulatory effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on C-reactive protein (CRP) and other inflammatory markers in rats fed an atherogenic diet. Male albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups of nine each. Group I (normal) rats on normal diet received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of physiological saline; group II (atherosclerotic-untreated) rats received an atherogenic diet for 45 days and daily i.p. administration of saline from days 31 to 45; group III (atherosclerotic-treated) rats received an atherogenic diet for 45 days and daily i.p. administration of EGCG (100 mg/kg BW) from days 31 to 45 and were then euthanized. The biochemical parameter, CRP, and haematological parameters of inflammation (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], total leucocyte count [WBC], differential leucocyte count, platelet count) were determined. Immunoblotting and RT-PCR were employed to elucidate the CRP protein and its mRNA expression. Group II rats showed a significant increase in the mean serum CRP level, ESR and total WBC, platelet and differential leucocyte counts, when compared with corresponding values in group I rats. Significantly lower mean levels/counts of inflammatory markers were noted in group III rats than corresponding values in group II rats. Group II rats exhibited significantly higher mean values of CRP protein expression and relative transcript levels of CRP than group I or group III rats. These results suggest that EGCG, a major component of green tea catechins, may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing inflammatory markers in rats fed an atherogenic diet.

In the present study, the efficacy of green tea catechins (GTC from the plant Camellia sinensis), with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), as the major component, was studied in relation to hepatic oxidative abnormalities in atherosclerotic rats. When male albino Wistar rats were fed an atherogenic diet for 30 days and then treated with saline for 7 or 15 days, there was a significant decline in hepatic mean activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase), and non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, vitamins C and E) while there was a significant elevation in the mean level of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), in comparison to the values noted in control rats fed a normal diet. In addition, a concomitant increase in the activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was noted, when compared to the values in control rats. Following intraperitoneal administration of GTC (100mg/kg) for 7 or 15 days to rats fed the atherogenic diet, significantly higher mean activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and lower mean levels of MDA in hepatic tissue and lower mean activities of AST, ALT, ALP and LDH in serum were observed, compared to the values in the rats fed the atherogenic diet and treated with saline. Histopathological studies were performed to provide direct evidence of the atherogenic diet-induced hepatic changes and of the hepatoprotective effect of GTC. These results suggest that EGCG as a major component of green tea catechins may protect against the hepatic abnormalities occurring in Wistar rats fed an atherogenic diet.

The antioxidant potential of an ethanolic extract of the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus , was investigated. The extract exhibited the most potent radical-scavenging activity at a maximum concentration of 10 mg/ml, and the scavenging effects were 56.20% and 60.02% on hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, respectively. The IC 50 values of the extract were found to be 8 mg/ml for hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. Ascorbic acid used as a standard was highly effective in inhibiting hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, showing IC 50 values of 6 mg/ml and 4 mg/ml respectively. At a maximum concentration of 10 mg/ml, the extract effected 56.12% inhibition of lipid peroxidation and 60.68% chelation of ferrous ions; also, at a maximum concentration 10 mg/ml, the extract manifested significant ( p P. ostreatus , has potent antioxidant activity. Industrial relevance The present study suggests that an ethanolic extract of the mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus , could serve as an easily accessible item of food rich in natural antioxidants, as a possible food supplement or even as a pharmaceutical agent. Hence this study is considerable relevant to the food and pharmaceutical industries.

The present work is aimed at evaluating the protective effect of the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. Significantly elevated mean levels (p

Background We aim to describe the health-related quality of life of informal carers and their experiences of primary care. Methods Responses from the 2011-12 English General Practice Patient Survey, including 195,364 informal carers, were analysed using mixed effect logistic regressions controlling for age, gender, ethnicity and social deprivation to describe carer health-related quality of life (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain, and anxiety/depression, measured using EQ-5D) and primary care experience (access, continuity and communication). Results Informal carers reported poorer health-related quality of life than non-carers of similar age, gender, ethnicity and social deprivation. Increasing caring commitment was associated with worse EQ-5D scores, with carers of 50+ hours a week scoring 0.05 points lower than non-carers (95 % CI 0.05 to 0.04), equivalent to 18 fewer days of full health annually. Considering each domain of EQ-5D separately, carers of 50+ hours/week were more likely to report pain OR = 1.53 (1.50-1.57), p

The surface deformation and atomic-level distortions associated with crystal structural matching at ferroelectric inversion domain walls are investigated in periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) crystals. A deformation, of the order of 10−8 m in scale and having the periodicity of the domains, is observed at the surfaces by optical interferometry. It is discussed in terms of the piezoelectric effect. The matching of the crystal structures at the domain walls is studied by combining the hard x-ray Fresnel phase-imaging technique with Bragg diffraction imaging methods ('Bragg–Fresnel imaging') and using synchrotron radiation. Quantitative analysis of the contrast of the Bragg–Fresnel images recorded as a function of the propagation distance is demonstrated to allow the determination of how the domains are matched at the atomic (unit cell) level, even though the spatial resolution of the images is on the scale of micrometres. The atom P(1) is determined as the linking atom for connecting the inversion domains across the wall in KTP crystals for domain walls forced by electric-field processing to be parallel to (100). In addition to this, it is shown that a shift of 1/2(a + b) between atoms in the original and inverted structures is introduced as a result of the domain inversion operation.

International audience; We report here for the first time the in vitro localization of unlabeled antimalarial drugs with high spatial resolution. This strategy further enhances our understanding of the action mechanisms of antimalarial drugs. Our approach may be applied to a wide range of domains where quantitative chemical imaging of drugs at the sub-cellular level appears critical.

Rietveld neutron powder profile analysis of the (Na1−xKx)0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NKBT) series (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) is reported over the temperature range 293–993 K. A detailed characterization of the structures and phase transitions occurring across this series as a function of temperature has been made. Room-temperature refinements have revealed a rhombohedral phase, space group R3c for x=0, 0.2, and 0.4, which exhibits an antiphase, a−a−a− oxygen tilt system with parallel cation displacements along [111]p. An intermediate zero-tilt rhombohedral phase, space group R3m possessing cation displacements along [111]p, has been established for x=0.5 and 0.6. At the potassium-rich end of the series at x=0.8 and 1.0, a tetragonal phase, space group P4mm is observed possessing cation displacements along [001]. At the sodium-rich end of the series for x=0.2, the unusual tetragonal structure with space group P4bm is seen for Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 which possesses a combination of in-phase a0a0c+ tilts and antiparallel cation displacements along the polar axis. Temperature-induced phase transitions are reported and structural modifications are discussed.

New radiocarbon dates associated with volcanic ashes and lahars improve our understanding of the volcanic activity of Mount Baker, a 3284 m-high, andesitic stratovolcano in the North Cascades, Washington. The geologic re- cord shows that during the Holocene, four ashes and at least seven lahars were deposited on the flanks of Mount Baker and in the nearby North Cascades. Here, we document the ages of three previously undated ashes, the Schriebers Meadow scoria, the Rocky Creek ash, and the Cathedral Crag ash. Because Mount Baker lies at the head of the Nooksack drainage, eruptive activity may influence areas downstream. Understanding the timing and characteristics of volcanic eruptions from Mount Baker is useful from volcanic hazard and paleoclimatological perspectives. Resume : De nouvelles datations au radiocarbone pour des cendres et des lahars volcaniques ameliorent notre compre- hension de l'activite volcanique du mont Baker, un strato-volcan andesitique d'une hauteur de 3284 metres situe dans les Cascades septentrionales, dans l'etat de Washington. Les donnees geologiques indiquent que durant l'Holocene quatre emissions de cendres et d'au moins sept lahars se sont deposes sur les flancs du mont Baker et dans les Casca- des septentrionales environnantes. Ici, nous documentons les âges de trois cendres non datees, soit la scorie Schriebers Meadow, la cendre Rocky Creek et la cendre Cathedral Crag. Puisque le mont Baker est a la tete du bassin de drai- nage Nooksack, l'activite eruptive peut affecter les regions en aval. Pour bien saisir le danger volcanique et les paleo - climats, il est utile de comprendre les sequences et les caracteristiques des eruptions volcaniques du mont Baker. (Traduit par la Redaction) 1366

The (Na1-xKx)0.5Bi0.5TiO3 perovskite solid solution is investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy in order to follow the structural evolution between the end members Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (rhombohedral at 300 K) and K0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (tetragonal at 300 K). The Raman spectra are analysed with special regard to the hard modes and suggest the existence of nano-sized Bi3+TiO3 and (Na1-2xK2x)+TiO3 clusters. The complementary use of XRD and Raman spectroscopy suggests, in contrast to previous reported results, that the rhombohedral ↔ tetragonal phase transition goes through an intermediate phase, located at 0.5 ≤ x ≤ 0.80. The structural character of the intermediate phase is discussed in the light of sub- and super-group relations. © 2000 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Rigid injectable microspheres were prepared from polyanhydride blends comprising a soft, rapidly-degrading polymer, viz. poly(carboxyphenoxyvaleric acid) (PCPV) and a rigid, slow-degrading polymer, viz. poly(carboxyphenoxyhexane) (PCPH). The incorporation of the soft polymer led to the formation of more dense microspheres. In the release environment, the soft polymer in the blend microspheres degraded more rapidly leaving behind a microporous structure consisting mostly of the slow-degrading polymer. PNP was released very quickly through these pores, and the rate was independent of blend composition. On the other hand release of lysozyme, a macromolecular solute, could be controlled by varying the blend composition. The influence of blending and technique of microsphere preparation on the morphology and release profile was also investigated.

Potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) single crystals were grown using a high temperature solution technique. A series of growth runs was performed to produce analogie crystals in which varying percentages of potassium, titanium and phosphorus were replaced by other elements. These analogue crystals and other reported data were used to make a systematic study of the degree of pseudo-symmetry and structural distortions in compounds of the KTP family. Where single crystal second-harmonic generation measurements were available, efforts were made to link the structural distortions to the observed non-linear optical properties.

Oxidative stress is believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of hypercholesterolaemic atherosclerosis; hence, various antioxidant compounds are being evaluated for potential anti-atherogenic effects. The present study assessed the efficacy of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant component of the plant Camellia sinensis, in improving serum lipid profile and antioxidant parameters in erythrocytes and cardiac tissue in rats fed an atherogenic diet. In male albino Wistar rats fed an atherogenic diet for 30 days, significantly increased serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein cholesterol fractions and cardiac risk ratio were noted, compared with levels in rats fed a normal diet. Intraperitoneal administration of EGCG (100 mg/kg) for 7 or 15 days to the atherogenic diet-fed rats resulted in significantly lower serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol fractions and a significantly higher serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with levels in atherogenic diet-fed, saline-treated rats. Significantly higher mean malondialdehyde levels and significantly lower mean activities of antioxidant enzymes and mean levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants occurred in atherogenic diet-fed rats compared with those fed a normal diet. When atherogenic diet-fed rats received EGCG treatment for 7 or 15 days, significantly lower mean levels of MDA, higher mean levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants and higher mean activities of enzymatic antioxidants occurred, compared with those in saline-treated rats. Thus, EGCG appears to ameliorate disruptions of serum lipid profile and of antioxidant parameters in erythrocyte and cardiac tissue of Wistar rats fed an atherogenic diet; these results may be relevant to treating human atherosclerosis.

Mycotic keratitis caused by Arthrobotrys oligospora is reported in a 62-year-old Indian male patient. The diagnosis was made by direct microscopic examination, isolation of large quantities of the fungus on multiple media and the response of the lesion to an antifungal compound. This is believed to be the first documented case of keratitis due to an Arthrobotrys species.

Abstract The Shah Deniz high-pressure gas platform development in the Azerbaijan sector of the landlocked Caspian Sea required a unique execution plan, the key components being:Selection of a production jack-up for a continuous operational life of up to 30 yearsFabrication of major components outside of the CaspianTransport of major components as self floating ‘strips’ towed through a canal network into the Caspian SeaAssembly in AzerbaijanReactivation of a largely abandoned construction yardThe use of the world's largest ‘skirted spud cans’ with their associated challenges of fabrication, transportation and connection using a unique ‘assisted pendulum’ methodologyInstallation of foundation utilizing a novel ‘controlled punch-through’0 technique This paper describes the overall execution plan and the key technical challenges that the project team successfully overcame. Introduction At the start of the development planning for the Shah Deniz gas production platform, all available installation facilities (crane vessels and transport barges) in the Caspian, along with construction yards in Azerbaijan, were fully committed to a series of offshore oil production platforms. Consequently, the design brief for the Shah Deniz platform included the requirement that it should not have any impact on those facilities. The result was the selection of a self-installing jackup production facility with an execution plan based on maximizing the out-of-country construction coupled with transportation of large self-floating ‘strips’ into the landlocked Caspian via a canal network for final assembly in-country. It also included re-activating a largely abandoned in-country construction yard (Zykh). The selected platform concept is a TPG 500 which totalled 32,500 tonne (t) (36,000 short tons) dry weight in its final configuration during the sail-away to site and was successfully installed in April 2006 (Fig. 1). Fig. 1: Shah Deniz platform - installed April 2006 (available in full paper) This paper presents the project's unique execution plan and outlines the major technical challenges associated with it. Key steps in the project execution were:Out-of-country (Singapore) fabrication of the hull strips incorporating topside process, utility and ancillary facilities including the living quartersTransportation from Singapore to Baku (Fig. 2):–Loading of the initial 4 strips onto the Mighty Servant 3 (MS3)–Offloading of strips at Kerch–Tow of the strips through the canal network to the Caspian and on to Baku–Separate shipping of the last strip (strip 0 - wellbay & manifolds)In-country (Baku) assembly and completion:–Hull strips mating in a floating dry dock–Skidding of the drilling equipment set (DES) onto the platform and its integration–Mating of the last strip sections (strip 0)Spud cans - the largest ever - in-country fabrication and transportation to the connection siteInnovative platform installation–Foundations connected to the platform utilizing a novel 'assisted pendulum' concept.–Final positioning, penetration of the spud cans' skirts and elevation to final air gap Fig. 2: Strip transportation route from Singapore to Baku (available in full paper)

Abstract Within its jack-up development framework, Technip has developed a new foundation concept that widens the range of soil conditions where a jack-up production facility can be used without compromising its self-installation capability (i.e using only minimal support). This new design, the 'retractable (and extendable) pile' solution, is suitable for a wide range of soil conditions and thereby makes the use of a production jack-up a viable option at many more locations worldwide. It also has application where a jack-up is to be utilised on a number of developments and has to be relocated during its operational life as the leg can be disconnected from the pile. After reviewing the foundations designs already adopted for jack-up production facilities, this paper presents the new foundation design and its, benefits over existing designs. Discussion is also given on how the new foundation design can be integrated into an overall design to produce a production platform for shallow water projects worldwide with a much reduced marine operation and installation cost. Introduction Historically, jack-up type platforms have been extensively used for drilling and more recently some have been used for production facilities. These represent one type of selfelevating platform and a number of similar designs are now being progressed for production duties. However, there are a number of issues that challenge the designer when considering the long-term installation of jack-ups for production facilities including:Use of appropriate design codes.Foundation fixity and associated platform dynamic behaviour.Future relocation of the facility. On existing major self-elevating production facilities e.g. Technip's TPG 500, driven piles and very large skirted spud cans have been two of the solutions used for the foundations. This new foundation design for jack-ups not only offers a low cost alternative to the current designs, but also extends the operating range of soil conditions where a self-elevating platform can be employed. This foundation concept can be used directly on jack-up platforms or for a new platform design where a truss deck and its associated legs are transported to site on a barge, the legs lowered to the seabed, the deck raised to the operating air gap and the 'suction piles' used to give long term fixity complying to fixed platform design codes. The overall effect is to substantially reduce the marine operation costs for installing the platform, both substructure and topsides. The new design employs an open ended retractable caisson within each leg which is lowered once the platform is at the installation site. Associated with each caisson is a suction pump facility which is used to drive it fully into the seabed thereby substantially increasing the seabed fixity and providing sufficient capacity to meet the fixed platform design codes (i.e. extreme environmental loading return period and fatigue). Foundation Designs of Installed Platforms Fig 1 illustrates a number of alternative designs that have been considered for the use of foundations for the TPG 500 jack-up type production platform along with the new retractable pile design.

Abstract Technip-Coflexip has developed a new installation concept called the "Jack-Deck" (Patent Pending - Patent N° FR 01.16835 registered on 24/12/2001) which enables installation of FPSO Topsides on to a FPSO Hull Deck in one or two "Integrated Modules" with weights of up to 19800T each (See Figure 1). This installation method facilitates extensive pre-commissioning and commissioning of the "Integrated Modules" at their Construction Yard. It considerably reduces the onshore hook-up and integration work required on top of the FPSO Hull Deck. Consequently the overall FPSO Construction Schedule and Cost are significantly reduced. This paper describes the "Jack-Deck" installation method and discusses the consequences on Topsides layout and structural design. It also highlights the main benefits of the system. Introduction With the discovery of new Oil & Gas fields located in deep waters and the recent development of subsea completions and flexible risers, FPSO's have become more and more commercially attractive. They enable development of fields with little infrastructure for oil export and offer not only a low installation cost, but also a low decommissioning cost at the end of field life. They offer the advantage of being readily re-deployed on other fields. All these points have expanded the FPSO market and encouraged Oil & Gas Companies to invest in this type of production system. Many FPSO's have already been successfully installed in West Africa and other parts of the world. Several others are under construction, and many proposals for future FPSO Development Projects are in preparation with early installation objectives. The traditional method for constructing an FPSO is to build the hull in a Shipyard and the Topsides in a separate Construction Yard. The topsides are split into several modules, typically 8 to 14 with weights ranging from 1000T up to 3000T. The modules and / or the hull are then transported to the integration yard where the modules are lifted and installed in place on top of the FPSO Hull Deck. Fig 1: "Jack Deck" installation concept (AVAILABLE IN FULL PAPER) Due to the large number of modules, the lifting and installation phase can extent for several weeks and the integration, pre-commissioning and commissioning work may have to be interrupted to allow the installation of the modules as they arrive at the integration site. This traditional method has been imposed on FPSO Contractors by the high elevation of the FPSO hull deck above the quay, which can reach up to 30m, and by the relatively small lifting capacities of most of the Construction Yards, which are generally limited to 3000T. Selecting yards with higher lifting capabilities would reduce competition and further increase the fabrication and integration costs. In any case, the lifting capabilities of these particular yards are still limited to around 7000T, which is low in comparison with the "Jack Deck" 's installation capacity.

Various propagation models exist in the open literature. These models are basically divided into two distinct classes namely deterministic and stochastic. The deterministic model corresponds to a deterministic description of the environment that causes path loss and multipath effects, and it is very useful when multipath is caused by a small number of paths that can be accurately characterized. The stochastic model corresponds to a statistical model of the environment and it is most appropriate when the multipath effects are caused by a large number of paths between transmitter and receiver that would be impossible to characterize in a deterministic way. This paper deals with various propagation models and studies their application to wireless communications system design. The advantages and disadvantages of each model is given where applicable. An overview of the circumstances governing propagation prediction modelling is presented in light of path loss and multipath effects.

Full and partial response signaling quadrature binary modulation techniques are being the modulation schemes of choice in direct sequence spread spectrum systems, cellular, PCs and satellite communications. SAW filters have been used as modulators in both full response and partial response signaling including QPSK, MSK, SFSK, and cosine series pulse shape modulation formats. Envelope uniformity, spectral confinement, autocorrelation function, and an intersymbol interference are important performance parameters for any given modulation format. SAW modulators implementing two cosine series pulse shapes with a center frequency of 70 MHz and a bit rate of 8 MHz were built and both time and frequency domain measurements were performed. The autocorrelation function contains processing gain information for the various pulse shape modulators. Computer simulation on the uniformity of the transmitted modulated signal is performed. A comparison of the computer simulation results and experimental measurements will be presented. The comparison includes power spectral densities, autocorrelation functions, and time domain pulse shapes.

Two cases of primary arterioenteric fistulae are presented, in each case associated with, but not arising from, an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. The authors believe this is the first report of such an association.

Emulsification-solvent removal methods have been widely used for encapsulating bioactive macromolecules like proteins and polypeptides in biodegradable polymers. We report, a (water-in-oil)-in-oil emulsion technique wherein proteins and polypeptides differing in molecular weight and shape were encapsulated in polymers of current biomedical interest. When an oil was used as the processing medium in combination with a carefully selected mixed solvent system such that a stable (w/o1/o2 emulsion is formed and solvents are removed by a combination of extraction and evaporation, the entrapment efficiency was high and the product nonporous. The entrapment efficiency of globular proteins exceeded 90% while that of fibrous proteins was around 70%. Fracture studies revealed that the polymer matrix was dense. The mechanism of entrapment involved solvent-induced precipitation of the protein as the microspheres were being formed. The principle of the method will find use in preparation of non-porous polymer microparticles with reduced burst effect.

ABSTRACT Since the early 1980's, Technip-Geoproduction (TPG), as a designer or installation contractor. has been successfully using the "UNIDECK-TPG", a float over system for the transportation and installation of integrated decks for offshore platforms, The concept offers the advantages of significant savings in transportation and installation costs by reducing the installation time and offshore hook-up and avoiding the need for a heavy lift derrick barge. This paper describes the concept and the technology, the installation methods, the required engineering studies and the flexibility of the concept which can be adapted to each project requirement and location. INTRODUCTION TPG has developed the integrated deck concept, called UNlDECK-TPG, with the objective of minimizing the overall costs by offering the advantage of installing a deck on a jacket as a fully completed and tested single unit, without using a conventional crane barge. The technology combines ballasting and hydraulic jacking - when required - to improve the stability of the cargo barge during the transportation phase and to provide a safe and quick transfer of the deck weight onto the pre-installed jacket. The concept has been successfully used several times in both favorable and more severe sea conditions with deck weight ranging from 2,500 to 9,500 metric tons. This method has been implemented in the Mediterranean sea, in the Arabian Gulf, recently in the Qatar North Field and in West Africa with the COB-PI Production Platform, (9,500 tons) for which TPG acted as a contractor's manager. This deck was first installed early 1996 with 1.2 m significant wave height, a world's premiere in the long swell of the southern Atlantic Ocean. At the present time TPG is designing several other UNIDECKs, one for Adma Opco in Abu Dhabi for the GIP project (4,000T) and two large drilling/production decks (8,500T and 1O,500T) in Malaysia. The UNIDECK-TPG method has proved to be economical in three main categories :in shallow water where there is not sufficient draft for a large derrick barge to enter the site,when heavy lift derrick barges are not readily available resulting in prohibitive mobilization costs,when an integrated deck would be too heavy for existing derrick barges. In each case, the design of the platform arrangement and the installation method have be adapted to the particular project requirements in terms of layout, topside weight, environmental conditions and final elevation of the deck in order to lower the cost of the operation. PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING When designing a large integrated deck, the first task of the engineering is to assess the feasibility of a float over operation considering:the weight and center of gravity of the topside,the meteorological conditions on the site. The preliminary investigations include:the selection of a suitable transport barge,the evaluation of the need for an additional jackingsystem,the improvement of the deck and jacket arrangement,the evaluation of cost savings. PLATFORM LAYOUT ARRANGEMENT When a float over approach with the integrated deck is selected, one primary question shall be resolved : will the barge slot in the jacket be in longitudinal or in the transversal direction?

Single crystals of allylthiourea complex crystals have been successfully grown by slow evaporation technique. The grown samples were confirmed by CHN analysis. The band gap of ATCC, ATCB and ATMC were found to be 3.93 eV, 3.58 eV and 3.18 eV respectively. Thermal parameters such as of thermal diffusivity (α) and effusivity (e), the thermal conductivity (k) and heat capacity (Cp) of the grown samples were studied using phtopyroelectric technique. The frequency response of dielectric constant and dielectric loss were also studied.

La classification UICC/AJCC (Union Internationalecontre le Cancer/American Joint Commitee on Cancer)n’envisage que 2 situations pronostiques selon la topographiede la ou des autres localisations tumorales. La tumeur princi-paleestclasseeT4lorsquetouteslesformationstumoralessontsituees dans le meme lobe pulmonaire, alors que la maladie estclassee M1 lorsque plusieurs lobes sont concernes

Alpha particle energy spectra were measured at femoral endosteal surfaces of Canadian Arctic caribou (Rangifer tarandus) to assess the profile of concentration with depth of 210Po supported by 210Pb. Femur samples from five caribou all showed a pronounced superficial concentration of 210Po, in a layer 1.9 - 6.4 microns thick. Within this layer 210Po was concentrated 1.5 - 10 times with respect to diffuse volume-distributed 210Po. This result is consistent with an earlier study of 210Po at human cranial bone surfaces, which showed 210Po to be concentrated about four times in a surface layer3 microns thick. However, the present results have higher precision than the human bone data due to the much greater concentration of 210Pb and 210Po in caribou bone. The validity of using 210Po as a marker of 210Pb, and the in vivo 210Po/210Pb ratio are discussed. As a result of the measured endosteal superficial concentration of 210Po in caribou, the alpha particle dose was calculated to be enhanced by a factor of 1.06 - 1.96 (mean 1.48) for bone lining cells, and of 1.08 - 2.39 (mean 1.69) for soft tissue above the bone surface, assuming equilibrium between 210Pb and 210Po. It is suggested that an additional longer-lived compartment for bone surface lead could be incorporated into bio-kinetic models for lead.