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Resume Nous rapportons un cas d’anaphylaxie severe a la noix de cajou, chez un garcon de 11 ans 1/2, due a une erreur d’etiquetage alimentaire. Cet enfant a ensuite beneficie d’une induction de tolerance orale (ITO) mixte, a la noix de cajou et a la pistache. Nous presentons les resultats de son ITO et nous rappelons l’interet de l’education therapeutique (ETP) et de l’importance d’un etiquetage alimentaire rigoureux.

Resume Le risque d’anaphylaxie par inhalation de l’arachide est paradoxalement discute et les cas decrits dans la litterature restent rares. Nous rapportons 3 cas d’anaphylaxie a l’arachide par voie inhalee survenus chez des patients a phenotype allergique fort. Ils concernent 2 adolescents ayant ete en contact avec de l’arachide dans des lieux publics (cinema, train) 2 fois, le 3e cas est survenu chez un enfant beneficiant d’une induction de tolerance a l’arachide (ITO). Suite a des publications d’anaphylaxies a l’arachide survenues par voie inhalee et de reclamations de patients allergiques, des mesures de protection ont ete prises par des compagnies aeriennes et dans certains etats. Pourtant, certains ont affirme encore tres recemment que l’arachide n’est pas volatile et que le risque de reaction par voie inhalee serait plus que minime ! Il nous parait cependant important de proteger les patients a phenotype fort et haut risque anaphylactique pour lesquels la vie sociale devient un danger potentiel (voyages, sorties, etc.) et de proposer une ITO, entouree d’education therapeutique, meme si cette ITO a pu montrer ses limites dans notre 3e cas.

InGaN/GaN single quantum wells were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on the silicon substrate onto thin AlN and GaN buffer layers. The InGaN/GaN structure is porosified using a combination of SixNy nanomasking and sublimation and compared with a non-porous reference. The photoluminescence efficiency at room temperature of the porosified sample is improved by a factor reaching 40 compared with the reference sample. Plan-view and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy images reveal that the remaining material is free of dislocation cores. The regions around dislocations are, thus, preferentially sublimated. This explains the strong photoluminescence improvement of nanoporous InGaN/GaN samples.

Resume Nous decrivons le cas d’un nourrisson de 7 mois ayant presente une anaphylaxie severe, de stade 5, a la suite de la consommation de proteines de pois dans un petit pot de legumes. Cette observation illustre la difficulte de reconnaitre l’anaphylaxie chez le nourrisson et permet une mise au point sur l’allergie au pois et les risques lies a l’utilisation accrue dans l’alimentation des proteines de pois.

Background There is a lack of qualitative research that has been undertaken which has captured the perspective of frequent users to urgent and emergency healthcare services. Previous research has viewed and studied this population largely by using retrospective routine data, which focuses on the patient's demographic, presenting symptom or demand implication. Current research now advocates that these vulnerable and complex individuals are using these services due to their unmet needs or multiple comorbidities. The aim of this research was to explore the patient's decision-making process and their motivations for repeatedly contacting urgent and emergency services. Methods Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a small cohort of six previously identified frequent users to urgent and emergency healthcare services. These participants were recruited into the study by a third sector organisation, due to the vulnerabilities and complexities of these individuals' lifestyles. A framework analysis was used to code and extract relevant themes and concepts from the interviews. Results Social prescribing through a named support worker enables navigation and re-engagement into a range of services that benefits this population and reduces their demand upon other services. The support given through social prescribing organisations can counteract the lack of personal support networks and resilience factors that these individuals experience. In addition, individuals who have been re-referred into substance misuse services should be offered alternative engagement programmes, which differ from their initial programme. Conclusions Current inequities of outcomes and access to services should be examined, in relation to vulnerable and complex individuals who have reduced support networks and limited resilience factors. Future research should be undertaken regarding the benefits for frequent users of social prescribing to support patient outcomes and re-integration into services. Key messages Social prescribing is the link that enables complex and vulnerable frequent users to navigate and re-engage into a range of health and social care services. Examining the inequities faced by frequent users to urgent and emergency healthcare services.

This work presents an alternative method for fabricating Li-ion electrodes in which the use of aluminum/copper current collectors and expensive binders is avoided. Low-cost natural cellulose fibers with a 2-mm length are employed as binder and support for the electrode. The objective of this method is to eliminate the use of heavy and inactive current collector foils as substrates and to replace conventional costly binders with cellulose fibers. Moreover, no harmful solvents, such as N-methylpyrrolidone, are employed for film fabrication. Water-soluble carbons are also utilized to reduce the preparation time and to achieve a better repartition of carbon in the electrode, thus improving the electrochemical performance. Flexible and resistant LiFePO4 (LFP), Li4Ti5O12 (LTO), organic 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA), and graphite electrodes are obtained with active mass loadings similar to those obtained by the current casting method. The initial discharge capacity of approximately 130 mAh·g−1 at 2 C is obtained for an LFP/LTO paper battery with an approximately 91.6% capacity retention after 1000 cycles. An all-organic prelithiated PTCDA/graphite cell without a transition metal is prepared and electrochemically tested. It is one of the first self-standing batteries that is composed of organic redox active molecules and biodegradable components reported in literature.

We report on the growth of a ferromagnetic cobalt electrode by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and demonstrate it as a functional spin source in complete magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). Using an in situ protocol, we integrate a reference tunnel barrier on top of the ALD cobalt spin source stabilizing its metallic nature and allowing further characterization. The cobalt layer, grown in mbar conditions with chemical precursors, is assessed to be metallic and ferromagnetic using both x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry measurements. Atomic force microscopy tapping and conductive tip mode analyses reveal a very flat film with low roughness (0.2 nm RMS) with a high homogeneity of surface conductivity matching the best reference samples grown by sputtering. We finally evaluate its behavior in full MTJ spin valves, using a reference spin analyzer to highlight that the ALD grown layer is, indeed, spin polarized and can act as a functional spintronics electrode. This result opens the perspective of exploiting the benefits of ALD (such as the wide area low-cost process, extreme conformality, layer by layer growth of heterostructures, area selectivity, etc.) for spintronics applications.

We present an iterative method to model the optical properties of a complete semitransparent perovskite solar cell. It is based on spectroscopic characterizations and accounts for porosity and incoherence effects. We provide the complex refractive indices of each layer, and we identify the main sources of optical losses. The optical model is also coupled to an electrical model of 4T perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. It allows to evaluate the interplay between the optical and electrical losses, and the balance between the efficiency of the top and bottom cells. These models provide an effective way to design future tandem devices.

Introduction Les allergies alimentaires (AA) mediees par les proteines PR10 sont habituellement responsables de syndromes oraux et precedees par une sensibilisation ou une allergie respiratoire aux betulacees liee a l’exposition pollinique. Elles sont donc theoriquement exceptionnelles chez les tres jeunes enfants. Methodes Nous rapportons 6 cas d’anaphylaxies graves aux PR10 chez des enfants âges de 2 a 4 ans vus en consultation d’allergologie au CHU de Reims, France, et au CHR de Namur, Belgique. Resultats Dans 5 cas sur 6, l’aliment responsable est un fruit de la famille des rosacees (cerise, abricot et pomme 3 fois), un enfant a reagi a une salade de carottes et celeri. Il existe des cofacteurs pour deux enfants (chaleur, effort et virose). Tous ont un terrain atopique familial et au moins une comorbidite atopique : eczema (n = 5), rhinite (n = 5), asthme (n = 3), AA multiples (arachide, fruits a coques et/ou legumineuses…, n = 3). Les patients ont presente une anaphylaxie de grade 2 (n = 2), 3 (n = 3) et 4 (n = 1) selon la classification d’Astier. Un enfant a beneficie d’une injection d’adrenaline. Tous ont des prick tests positifs pour le bouleau et l’aliment incrimine. Les taux de rbet v1 varient de 3,25 a 75,9 UA/mL. Trois enfants ne presentent des AA qu’aux PR10 ; un enfant est allergique a l’arachide via les PR10 (erytheme peribuccal) et aux lentilles (reaction de grade 3) ; 2 enfants sont polyallergiques alimentaires et respiratoires. Discussion Ces cas montrent que les allergies aux PR10 peuvent etre tres precoces et severes. Ils surviennent de facon etonnante chez des enfants tres jeunes et donc sensibilises tres precocement aux betulacees (des la 2e ou 3e saison d’exposition pollinique). Cela interroge sur l’impact de l’environnement (exposition pollinique augmentee, role du rechauffement climatique ?) dans la genese de ces anaphylaxies. Conclusion Ces 6 cas d’anaphylaxie aux PR10 survenus chez de tres jeunes enfants remettent en cause la classique benignite des allergies aux PR10, notamment en contexte de comorbidite atopique severe.

Introduction Nous assistons a l’emergence preoccupante de PA/PS alimentaires a l’arachide et/ou aux fruits a coques chez de tres jeunes enfants posant le probleme de leur avenir : risque d’anaphylaxie, prise en charge complexe (evictions alimentaires, tests de provocation orale, immunotherapies orales). Methode Nous rapportons une serie de 23 cas, 8 filles/15 garcons, âges de 7 mois a 4 ans lors du diagnostic, poly allergiques alimentaires a l’arachide et/ou aux fruits a coques. Resultats La plupart des enfants, 17/23 (74 %) ont un ou deux antecedents familiaux d’atopie. 20/23 ont/ont eu une dermatite atopique. 11/23 ont des signes d’HRB/rhinite allergique ; 5/23 presentent un asthme infantile. La plupart des reactions etaient peu severes (11/23), de grade I selon la classification d’Astier. Chez nos 23 patients, les allergenes ayant amene au diagnostic d’allergie alimentaire (AA) etaient : arachide (8), noix de cajou (4), noisette (3), lait de vache (3), noix (2), petits pois (2) et pois casses (1). Le bilan allergologique met en evidence 52 AA preexistantes et 43 sensibilisations concernant noix de cajou/pistache, noisette, noix de pecan, arachide, lupin, amande, kiwi, noix du bresil, noix de coco, ble, lentilles, soja et œuf. Chez nos patients on retrouve au total 75 AA (3/patient). L’arachide est le principal allergene responsable d’AA. La noix de cajou/pistache sont les principaux allergenes responsables de sensibilisations. Discussion/Conclusion Nous observons une augmentation alarmante des PA/PS chez des enfants de plus en plus jeunes. Il est important de se preoccuper de la prevention de ces allergies qui impactent considerablement la qualite de vie des patients. D’apres les resultats de notre serie, la prevention doit s’axer sur l’arachide, la noix de cajou, la pistache et la noisette, en les introduisant des la diversification alimentaire, ainsi que sur la prise en charge precoce des peaux atopiques.

The benefits of reducing the thickness of the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 absorber (CIGS) in thin film solar cells outweighs the reduced material costs and production time. It also lowers the minimum quality requirements for the CIGS layer since shorter pathways for electron extraction allow shorter electron diffusion length. However, the design of ultrathin solar cells raises specific issues in terms of absorber quality, light management, and electronic transport. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the state of the art on ultrathin CIGS solar cells and to present some results and perspectives for the improvement of the opto-electronic properties of ultra-thin solar cells. The impact of the deposition techniques for CIGS such as coevaporation, reactive sputtering and electrodeposition on the properties of ultrathin absorbers will be discussed. Then the potential of replacing the molybdenum back contact by a Transparent Conducting Oxide or a metallic or nanostructured reflectors will be analysed.

Introduction Depuis 2015, devant les difficultes pour certains enfants a comprendre l’induction de tolerance orale alimentaire (ITO) et a accepter de remanger un aliment jusque la interdit, nous avons mis en place une consultation individuelle d’education therapeutique dediee a l’ITO. Methodes Les enfants sont recus avec leurs parents par notre puericultrice d’education therapeutique (ETP) en allergie alimentaire (AA). Cette consultation est l’occasion de reprendre le diagnostic educatif, de faire emerger les craintes, les idees recues, les peurs vis-a-vis de l’arachide et de l’ITO et d’expliquer a l’enfant, avec un discours adapte a son âge, l’interet et les modalites de l’ITO. Les indications et la manipulation de la trousse d’urgence sont egalement revues. Les enfants visitent l’unite d’hospitalisation de jour au moment de cette consultation et ont une premiere rencontre avec les infirmieres de l’unite. Ils sont revus en consultation educative 3 mois apres la mise en place de l’ITO ce qui permet, entre autres, de reprendre les consignes liees a l’ITO donnees pendant la 1re hospitalisation. Resultats Sur plus de 300 enfants ayant debute une ITO a l’arachide depuis 2009, 163 ont beneficie de ces consultations specifiques. Nous constatons une meilleure observance a l’ITO. Les enfants sont moins stresses en hospitalisation de jour et plus acteurs de leur traitement. Il semble egalement y avoir moins d’effets indesirables lies a des cofacteurs (effort, infection …). Nous proposons maintenant cette consultation pour toute ITO alimentaire (noisette, noix de cajou, pistache, autres fruits a coques) ; 86 autres enfants ont pu ainsi en beneficier. Dans une demarche d’evaluation, nous allons realiser un questionnaire de satisfaction aupres des enfants et familles ayant beneficie de cette consultation educative dediee a l’ITO. Conclusion L’ETP a l’ITO est ainsi devenue pour notre equipe un prealable indispensable (et meme obligatoire) a la mise en place l’ITO. Elle permet d’ameliorer l’observance a ce traitement, de diminuer le stress concernant les prises d’arachide quotidiennes et semble contribuer a diminuer les effets secondaires indesirables eventuels de l’ITO.

Introduction Depuis mars 2017, 80 enfants aux antecedents d’anaphylaxie (52) ou de forte sensibilisation (28) a la noix de cajou et/ou pistache ont debute une ITO ; 27 filles et 53 garcons âges de 4 a 18 ans. Methodes Une consultation educative prealable systematique a lieu avec l’infirmiere d’education therapeutique. Les enfants beneficient d’un premier test de provocation orale (TPO) en HDJ avec un objectif de non reaction a 766 mg de noix de cajou et/ou de pistache. Puis l’ITO est debutee a domicile a 1/10ede la dose cumulative toleree (ou reactogene le cas echeant) sous forme de poudre de noix de cajou et/ou pistache. Les 2eme et 3eme TPO sont effectues a 6 et 12 mois avec un objectif de non reaction a 2 g et 6 g, respectivement. Le protocole est personnalise et adapte a chaque patient. A chaque hospitalisation, les indications et la manipulation de la trousse d’urgence sont revues. Resultats Cinquante quatre enfants ont debute une ITO noix de cajou, 3 une ITO pistache et 23 une ITO mixte. Parmi eux 23 ont atteint la dose cumulative totale (DCT) toleree de 766 mg (29 %) au 1er TPO. Cinquante sept ont presente une anaphylaxie grade 1 ou 2 entre 6 et 766 mg de DCT selon la classification d’Astier. Parmi 50 patients ayant beneficie du 2e TPO a 6 mois, 41 tolerent entre 1 et 2 g (82 %). Neuf tolerent entre 66 et 950 mg. Parmi 31 patients ayant beneficie du 3e TPO a 1 an, 28 tolerent entre 2.5 g et 12 g (90 %), 3 tolerent entre 116 et 950 mg. Les IgE specifiques (IgEs) diminuent au cours de l’ITO, de meme que la taille des papules des tests cutanes. Il n’y a pas eu de recours a l’adrenaline en HDJ ou a domicile. Discussion En choisissant de pratiquer l’ITO avec un objectif de DCT toleree et non pas reactogene lors des TPO et en tenant compte des signes subjectifs d’anaphylaxie, l’ITO est beaucoup mieux acceptee par l’enfant et sa famille. Nos resultats sont comparables en termes de tolerance et de cinetique des tests cutanes et IgEs aux protocoles debutant par une dose reactogene. Conclusion Dans notre serie, ces enfants a haut risque anaphylactique sont maintenant capables, grâce a un protocole d’ITO securise et personnalise, de tolerer une dose importante de noix de cajou et/ou pistache, permettant de les proteger de l’anaphylaxie.

Direct and indirect decomposition of retained austenite during tempering are investigated in a 0.2C wt% steel with a carbide-free bainitic microstructure. The decomposition products of both mechanisms are quantified using X-ray diffraction and quantitative metallography; using dilatometry data to support interpretation. Two nearly identical steels are compared, with and without vanadium. The influence of vanadium on both direct and indirect decomposition of retained austenite is discussed, along with the effect of vanadium on hardness changes during tempering.

Introduction Depuis mars 2017, 50 enfants aux antecedents d’anaphylaxie (32) ou de sensibilisation (18) a la noix de cajou et/ou pistache ont debute l’ITO ; 14 filles et 36 garcons, âges de 4 a 17 ans. Methodes Une consultation educative individuelle prealable systematique a lieu avec l’infirmiere de l’ecole des allergies alimentaires. Le consentement des parents est recueilli avant chaque ITO. Les enfants beneficient d’un premier test de provocation orale (TPO) en hopital de jour avec un objectif de non reaction a 766 mg de noix de cajou, pistache ou d’un melange a partie equivalente. Puis l’ITO quotidienne est debutee a domicile a 1/10eme de la dose cumulative toleree (ou reactogene, le cas echeant) sous forme de poudre de noix de cajou et/ou pistache. Les 2e et 3e TPO sont effectues a 6 et 12 mois avec un objectif de non reaction a 2 g et 6 g, respectivement. A chaque hospitalisation, les indications et la manipulation de la trousse d’urgence sont revues. Resultats 42 enfants ont beneficie d’une ITO noix de cajou, 2 d’une ITO pistache et 6 d’une ITO mixte. Parmi les 50 patients, 16 ont atteint la dose cumulative totale (DCT) toleree de 766 mg (32 %) au 1er TPO. 34 ont reagi entre 6 et 766 mg de DCT. A 6 mois, parmi 32 patients ayant beneficie du 2e TPO, 27 tolerent entre 1 et 2 g (84 %). 5 tolerent entre 66 et 770 mg. A 1 an, parmi 23 patients ayant beneficie du 3eme TPO, 22 tolerent entre 2,5 g et 12 g (96 %). Les resultats des IgE specifiques et des tests cutanes sont repris. Conclusion Nous proposons un protocole securise et personnalise, avec un objectif de dose cumulee toleree et non pas reactogene au moment des TPOs. Nous montrons que ces enfants a haut risque anaphylactique sont capables, grâce a l’ITO, de tolerer une dose importante de noix de cajou et/ou pistache, permettant de les proteger de l’anaphylaxie. Nos resultats seront a completer sur une serie plus importante.

Introduction L’allergie alimentaire aux œufs de poisson n’est pas frequente chez l’enfant. Nous rapportons un cas posant le probleme du diagnostic differentiel avec l’allergie au carmin de cochenille. Methodes Ambre, 12 ans, a presente un œdeme des levres, des picotements pharynges et une urticaire du thorax quelques minutes apres l’ingestion d’un tarama de poisson artisanal provenant d’Armenie. Il n’a pas ete possible de recuperer la composition de ce produit. A l’interrogatoire, on retrouve une symptomatologie similaire suite a l’ingestion d’une glace de coloration rouge a 11 ans. Resultats A noter un eczema du nourrisson, des signes evocateurs de rhinite allergique ; poisson consomme sans probleme. Tests cutanes positifs aux acariens et œufs de cabillaud, negatifs pour les œufs de saumon, le saumon, la morue, le carmin de cochenille et aux autres pneumallergenes. IgE specifiques legerement positives au blanc d’œuf (0,12 ua/mL) et au rouge carmin (0,76 ua/mL). Premier test de provocation orale au rouge carmin en hopital de jour negatif a la dose cumulee de 2 mg. Le second test de reintroduction aux œufs de cabillaud confirme l’allergie avec apparition d’un œdeme palpebral, conjonctivite et de picotements pharynges a la dose cumulee de 500 mg. Discussion Trois cas pediatriques d’allergie aux œufs de saumon sont rapportes dans la litterature [1] , avec des reactions allergiques de stade 3, tous ces enfants etaient sensibilises aux acariens. Les allergenes en cause sont les vitellogenines, famille de proteines de reserve de 177 kDa, qu’on retrouve aussi dans l’œuf de poule, les arthropodes dont les acariens (Derp 14, Der f 14, Eur m 14) et la plupart des œufs de poissons. Le degre d’homologie de ces proteines etant faible entre ces differentes especes, les reactions croisees sont rares. Conclusion Il s’agit d’une observation insolite d’allergie aux œufs de cabillaud survenant chez une enfant atopique, sensibilisee aux acariens ayant pose le probleme d’une suspicion d’allergie au carmin de cochenille non confirmee.

Introduction Nous rapportons 3 cas d’anaphylaxie survenus par inhalation. Resultats Alexia, 17 ans, allergique a l’arachide, mais aussi legumineuses, graminees et acariens, a presente 2 accidents anaphylactiques a type d’angioedeme larynge, l’un au debut d’une seance de cinema dans le cadre d’une sortie scolaire en 2016, l’autre lors d’un voyage scolaire en bus en 2017. Lors du 1er accident, prise en charge par le SAMU par aerosols d’adrenaline, corticotherapie et anti-histaminiques, pour le 2e accident, arret du bus sur une aire d’autoroute et injection d’adrenaline par un professeur. Pas de prise alimentaire inadequate. Dans les 2 cas, la presence d’arachide dans l’atmosphere a ete fortement suspectee. Une induction de tolerance orale (ITO) a l’arachide est debutee suite a ces 2 accidents. Antoine, 16 ans, allergique a l’arachide, mais aussi fruits a coques, acariens et pollens, presente en octobre 2017, lors d’un trajet en train, une sensation de malaise, perte de connaissance puis asthme et urticaire. Pris en charge par le SAMU, il beneficie d’adrenaline par voie veineuse. Pas de prise alimentaire inadequate non plus. L’inhalation de particules d’arachide dans le train est probable. Mise en place d’une ITO a l’arachide. Tiago, 10 ans, allergique a l’arachide et en cours d’ITO depuis 18 mois, presente une gene respiratoire et un prurit generalise environ 20 min apres etre arrive chez des amis. La reaction a lieu alors que l’enfant joue dans une salle de jeux ou il y a un perroquet. L’enquete montre la presence d’arachide dans la cage (nourriture). Sous anti-histaminiques et corticoides oraux, l’etat s’ameliore. Cet enfant a donc fait une reaction par voie respiratoire suite a l’inhalation de particules d’arachide situees dans l’atmosphere. Discussion A noter des symptomes d’abord respiratoires en lien avec le contact direct de l’arachide ; le risque des transports en commun ; la necessite d’un traitement. Conclusion Ces accidents severes, survenus chez des adolescents tres allergiques a l’arachide, ont fait proposer une ITO dans le but de les proteger de l’anaphylaxie severe. Cependant, notre 3e observation montre que meme sous ITO, la protection n’est pas parfaite.

In this work, a low cost passivated back-contact for ultra-thin Cu(In, Ga)Se 2 -based (CIGS) solar cells to improve the carrier collection is developed. The current loss due to rear-interface recombination was first estimated with an accurate opto-electrical model. We compared the use of a sol-gel TiO2 and an ALD-Al 2 O 3 layer for the back-contact passivation. 400–420 nm CIGS cells were fabricated on the oxide/Mo substrate with point-contacts patterned by nanoimprint lithography. The use of a patterned-Mo/Al 2 O 3 back-contact leads to an increase of the cell performance compared to the standard Mo back-contact. The passivation effect is discussed and is characterized by photoluminescence.

Design principles and the fabrication technique of highly efficient, high-speed photodetectors based on MSM nanostructures are developed. To efficiently confine light in the region of the strong field as well as to decrease light losses due to reflection from the diode contacts, use is made of a nanoscale interdigital diffraction grating and a multilayer Bragg grating. Measurements of the reflection coefficients and the quantum efficiency for a multilayer structure are in good agreement with theoretical estimates. A record-high quantum efficiency (QE = 46 %) is obtained for high speed MSM photodetectors. The detector has a high spectral selectivity (Δλ1/2 = 17 nm) at a wavelength of 800 nm. Taking into account the diode capacitance and the drift time of photogenerated carriers, the performance of the detectors under study is ~ 500 GHz. The low level of the dark current density in the structures under study (j="1" pA μm-2) makes it possible to realise on their basis highly sensitive, high-speed selective detectors of optical radiation.

A new design of a cryogenic germanium detector for dark matter search is presented, taking advantage of the coplanar grid technique of event localisation for improved background discrimination. Experiments performed with prototype devices in the EDELWEISS II setup at the Modane underground facility demonstrate the remarkably high efficiency of these devices for the rejection of low-energy $\beta$, approaching 10$^5$ . This opens the road to investigate the range beyond 10$^{-8}$ pb in the WIMP-nucleon collision cross-sections, as proposed in the EURECA project of a one-ton cryogenic detector mass., Comment: submitted to Physical Review Letters

The expression of H–2 histocompatibility antigens, assayed by immune cytolysis, is minimal during the S period of the cell cycle. In order to investigate this phenomenon, we have measured the amount of H–2 antigens on P815Y cells at different stages of the cell cycle by two different techniques. The first involves the binding of [125I] labelled antibody, the second the inhibition of immune cytolysis of indicator cells by bound and salt-extractable antigens. Each method shows that the amount of H–2 antigens increases during the G1 period and then remains constant. On the other hand, the fragility of cells assayed by cytolysis caused by detergents, hypotonicity or freeze thawing shows the same minimum in S as does the expression of H–2 measured by immune cytolysis. It is concluded that cell surface antigens are inserted into the plasma membrane during G1 and remain accessible to combination with antibody thereafter. Because of a decrease in cellular fragility during interphase, cytolytic techniques should be used with caution.

Resume Les etats de choc sont principalement caracterises par une insuffisance circulatoire aigue, conduisant a une hypoperfusion tissulaire et pouvant aboutir a une defaillance multiviscerale. L’hypotension constatee peut etre la consequence de trois desordres hemodynamiques principaux : l’hypovolemie, la defaillance vasculaire et la defaillance cardiaque. La defaillance vasculaire est caracterisee par une diminution du tonus vasoconstricteur et une hyporeactivite vasculaire avec une moindre sensibilite aux catecholamines. Il en resulte une vasodilatation inappropriee et une hypotension arterielle refractaire pouvant conduire au deces du patient. Plusieurs mecanismes ont ete proposes afin d’expliquer la physiopathologie de la defaillance vasculaire observee au cours des etats de choc. Le monoxyde d’azote (NO), produit en exces par la NO synthase inductible (NOSi), constitue l’un des principaux acteurs impliques dans la vasoplegie et l’hyporeactivite vasculaire aux vasopresseurs. Les actions du NO sont multiples, notamment par le biais des seconds messagers (guanylate cyclase, GMPc et proteine kinase G) aboutissant a la dephosphorylation des chaines legeres de myosine et ainsi a une relaxation de la cellule musculaire lisse vasculaire, par combinaison avec l’anion superoxyde pour former l’ion peroxynitrite responsable de lesions d’oxydation tissulaires et cellulaires et par activation des canaux potassiques ATP et calcium-dependants (KATP et KCa) soit directement par nitrosylation, soit par la voie du GMPc. Les canaux potassiques, dont l’implication est aujourd’hui egalement bien demontree, peuvent de meme etre actives par diverses situations pathologiques, telles que la depletion en ATP, l’hypoxie, l’acidose et l’hyperlactatemie, situations presentes au cours des etats de choc. L’hyperpolarisation membranaire resultante s’oppose a l’entree du calcium dans la cellule musculaire lisse vasculaire et contribue a la vasorelaxation et a l’hyporeactivite vasculaire. La vasopressine est une hormone vasoconstrictrice capable d’inhiber les canaux potassiques et les effets du NO, ainsi que de potentialiser les effets vasoconstricteurs des vasopresseurs. Au cours du choc septique, il existe un deficit relatif en vasopressine. Sont egalement retrouves au cours des etats de choc une dysfonction et une desensibilisation des recepteurs alpha-adrenergiques (augmentation des taux circulants de catecholamines avec desensibilisation et decouplage entre le recepteur et son(ses) messager(s) intracellulaire(s), down regulation et diminution du nombre de recepteurs par internalisation), une inactivation des catecholamines par oxydation sous forme d’adrenochromes, ainsi que des taux eleves d’adrenomedulline, hormone vasorelaxante. Les possibilites therapeutiques specifiques sont limitees. Les fortes doses de catecholamines vasoconstrictrices, la vasopressine, les glucocorticoides, la proteine C activee et le traitement du sepsis ont montre une efficacite partielle.

The heat quenching factor Q' (the ratio of the heat signals produced by nuclear and electron recoils of equal energy) of the heat-and-ionization germanium bolometers used by the EDELWEISS collaboration has been measured. It is explained how this factor affects the energy scale and the effective quenching factor observed in calibrations with neutron sources. This effective quenching effect is found to be equal to Q/Q', where Q is the quenching factor of the ionization yield. To measure Q', a precise EDELWEISS measurement of Q/Q' is combined with values of Q obtained from a review of all available measurements of this quantity in tagged neutron beam experiments. The systematic uncertainties associated with this method to evaluate Q' are discussed in detail. For recoil energies between 20 and 100 keV, the resulting heat quenching factor is Q' = 0.91+-0.03+-0.04, where the two errors are the contributions from the Q and Q/Q' measurements, respectively. The present compilation of Q values and evaluation of Q' represent one of the most precise determinations of the absolute energy scale for any detector used in direct searches for dark matter., Comment: 28 pages, 7 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev. D

The geology and production history of the Tambarejo field has been studied for the purpose to construct a static and dynamic model for EOR forecasting in particular for polymer injection. The reservoir is at depths of about 300 m and consist of channelized Paleocene sands on top of the Cretaceous unconformity. Thickness of the sands is 10-30 ft. Well spacing is 200 m, part of the field (310 wells) was modeled. Individual channels could not be mapped but channel belts are recognized. Two Petrel static models were constructed: 1) based on the Sequential Indicator Simulation (SIS) and2) based Object Facies Modeling (OFM). Both are stochastic approaches of facies proportions in wells. Both models were used in the dynamic modeling and both models seem to match the historical production data well. However, during upscaling it appeared that due to cell-size restrictions of the OFM model, the SIS model is preferred. The SIS model is better in run time, smoother facies variations and lower sensitivity to stochastic realizations. The resulting dynamic model gave a surprising good initial history match with the production data and this model is, after further improvements, used for further dynamic modelling to arrive at a polymer injection strategy.

In response to recent and ongoing adaptation of culvert designs to environmentally sensitive installations, inlet loss coefficients and inlet control flow performance data are presented that are specific to environmentally sensitive culvert geometries. A common practice for such culvert designs is to bury the culvert inverts and create a simulated streambed through the culvert. Common cross-sectional geometries of such culverts typically include circular, elliptical, or pipe arch. These buried- or depressed-invert culverts create inlet geometries for which inlet loss information and inlet control flow performance curves have not been developed. Regardless of the method used to design environmentally sensitive culverts, the ability of the culvert to pass the design flood must be determined. In an effort to provide such information, an elliptical smooth-wall culvert with an invert burial depth of 50% was tested under various conditions (e.g., various end treatments, inlet and outlet control, submerged and unsubmerged inlet conditions, and ponded and channelized approach flow conditions) to determine the inlet loss coefficient and flow performance curve characteristics. The test results show that the inlet loss coefficient is relatively independent of both Reynolds number and the ratio of the distance from the inlet invert to the upstream total energy grade line to the culvert diameter (HW/D) and that the inlet loss coefficients for the elliptical culvert with 50% burial depth are approximately equal to the published coefficients for traditional culvert inlets. The inlet control data adapt well to the Form 1 and Form 2 unsubmerged and the submerged equations recommended by the Federal Highway Administration.

Using the BH masses deduced from the empirical relation of Kaspi et al. (2000) and assuming that the optical luminosity is provided by the accretion disc, we show that Narrow Line Seyfert Galaxies 1 (NLS1s) accrete at super-Eddington rates, while their luminosity stays of the order of the Eddington limit. We take into account the possibility of a non-viscous energy release in the gravitationally unstable region of the disc. It leads to a smaller accretion rate and to a redder continuum than a standard disc, which agrees better with the observations. The observed bolometric luminosities appear to saturate at a few times the Eddington luminosity for super-Eddington accretion rates, as predicted by slim disc models. The accretion rate stays always of the order of a few M$_{\odot}$/yr, indicating that the growing of the BH is mass supply limited . Since the masses of the BH increases by one order of magnitude in a few 10$^7$ years, it could explain why NLS1s appear to not follow the same BH - bulge relation as other galaxies. NLS1s should thus play an important role in shaping the mass function of local BHs. We discuss the possibility that the masses could be systematically underestimated due to an inclination effect, and we conclude that the accretion rates could thus be strongly overestimated, but only in a small proportion of objects., Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, accepted in A & A

Between 1996 and 2002, we have carried out a spectral monitoring program for the Seyfert galaxy NGC 5548 with the 6 m and 1 m telescopes of SAO (Russia) and with the 2.1 m telescope of Guillermo Haro Observatory (GHO) at Cananea, Mexico. High quality spectra with S/N > 50 in the continuum near Ha and Hβ were obtained, covering the spectral range ∼(4000-7500) A with a (4.5 to 15) A-resolution. We found that both the flux in the lines and the continuum gradually decreased, reaching minimum values during May-June 2002. In the minimum state, the wings of Hβ and Ha became extremely weak, corresponding to a Sy1.8 type, not to a Syl, as observed previously when the nucleus was brighter. The line profiles were decomposed into variable and constant components. The variable broad component is well correlated with the continuum variation. It consists of a double peaked structure with radial velocities ∼±1000 km s -1 relative to the narrow component. A constant component, whose presence is independent of the continuum flux variations, shows only narrow emission lines.The mean, rms, and the averaged over years, observed and difference line profiles of Hβ and Ha reveal the same double peaked structure. The relative intensity of these peaks changes with time. During 1996, the red peak was the brightest, while in 1998-2002, the blue peak became the brighter one. Their radial velocities vary in the ∼(500-1200) km s -1 range. In 2000-2002 a distinct third peak appeared in the red wing of Ha and Hβ line profiles. The radial velocity of this feature decreased between 2000 and 2002: from the observed profiles, from ∼+(2500-2600) km s -1 to ∼+2000 km s -1 and is clearly seen on the difference profiles. The fluxes of the various parts of the line profiles are well correlated with each other and also with the continuum flux. The blue and red parts of the line profiles at the same radial velocities vary in an almost identical manner. Shape changes of the different parts of the broad line are not correlated with continuum variations and, apparently, are not related to reverberation effects. Changes of the integral Balmer decrement are, on average, anticorrelated with the continuum flux variations. This is probably due to an increasing role of collisional excitation as the ionizing flux decreases. The behavior of the Balmer decrement of the various parts of the line profiles was different in 1996-2000 as compared with the 2001 behavior. Our results favor the formation of the broad Balmer lines in a turbulent accretion disc with large and moving optically thick inhomogeneities, capable of reprocessing the central source continuum.

Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) and Narrow-Line quasars (NLQs) seem to amount to ~ 10-30 % of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in the local universe. Together with their average accretion rate, we argue that the black hole (BH) growth by factor of 8-800 happens in these super-Eddington accretion phase of AGNs. Moreover, there is a possible, systematic underestimation of accretion rates (in the Eddington unit) due to an overestimation of BH mass by massive accretion discs for super-Eddington objects. If it is true, the factor of BH growth above may be larger by order(s) of magnitude. In contrast, the growth factor expected in sub-Eddington phase is only ~ 2. Therefore, the cosmic BH growth by accretion is likely dominated by super-Eddington phase, rather than sub-Eddington phase which is the majority among AGNs. This analysis is based on the fraction and the average accretion rate of NLS1s and NLQs obtained for z ~< 0.5. If those numbers are larger at higher redshift (where BHs were probably less grown), super-Eddington accretion would be even more important in the context of cosmic BH growth history., 4 pages, Latex2e, Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics Letters, corrected some typos

Mkn 841 has been observed simultaneously by XMM and BeppoSAX in January 2001. Due to operational contingency, the 30ks XMM observation was split into two parts, separated by about 15 hours. We first report the presence of a narrow iron line which appears to be rapidly variable between the two pointings, requiring a non-standard interpretation. We then focus on the analysis of the broad band (0.3-200 keV) continuum using the XMM/EPIC, RGS and SAX/PDS data. The Mkn 841 spectrum is well fitted by a comptonization model in a geometry more photon-fed than a simple slab geometry above a passive disk. It presents a relatively large reflection (R>2) which does not agree with an apparently weak iron line. It also show the presence of a strong soft excess wellfitted by a comptonized spectrum in a cool plasma, suggesting the presence of a multi-temperature corona., 4 pages, 5 figures. Proc. of the meeting: "The Restless High-Energy Universe" (Amsterdam, The Netherlands), E.P.J. van den Heuvel, J.J.M. in 't Zand, and R.A.M.J. Wijers Eds

Using the new version of the photoionization code Titan designed for plane-parallel photoionized thick hot media, which is unprecedented from the point of view of line transfer, we have undertaken a study of the influence of different parameters on the He-like and H-like emission of a medium photoionized by an X-ray source. We explain why in modelling the emitting medium it is important to solve in a self-consistent way the thermal and ionization equilibria and to take into account the interconnection between the different ions. We give the equivalent widths of the sum of the He-like triplets and the triplet intensity ratios $G$ and $R$, for the most important He-like ions, for a range of density, column density, and ionization parameter, in the case of constant density media. We show that the line intensities from a given ion can be accounted for, either by small values of both the column density and of the ionization parameter, or by large values of both quantities, and it is necessary to take into account several ions to disentangle these possibilities. We show also that a "pure recombination spectrum" almost never exists in a photoionized medium: either it is thin, and resonance lines are formed by radiative excitation, or it is thick, and free-bound absorption destroys the resonance photons as they undergo resonant diffusion., 19 pages, 14 figures, accepted in A & A

Nayakshin & Kazanas (2002) have considered the time-dependent illumination of an accretion disc in Active Galactic Nuclei, in the lamppost model. We extend their study to the flare model, which postulates the release of a large X-ray flux above a small region of the accretion disc. A fundamental difference with the lamppost model is that the region of the disc below the flare is not illuminated before the onset of the flare. A few test models show that the spectrum which follows immediately the increase in continuum flux should display the characteristics of a highly illuminated but dense gas, i.e. very intense X-ray emission lines and ionization edges in the soft X-ray range. The behaviour of the iron line is different in the case of a "moderate" and a ``strong'' flare: for a moderate flare, the spectrum displays a neutral component of the Fe K$\alpha$ line at 6.4 keV, gradually leading to more highly ionized lines. For a strong flare, the lines are already emitted by FeXXV (around 6.7 keV) after the onset, and have an equivalent width of several hundreds of eV. We find that the observed correlations between $R$, $\Gamma$, and the X-ray flux, are well accounted by a combination of flares having not achieved pressure equilibrium, strongly suggesting that the observed spectrum is dominated by regions in non-pressure equilibrium, typical of the onset of the flares. Finally a flare being confined to a small region of the disc, the spectral lines should be narrow (except for a weak Compton broadening), Doppler shifted, and moving., Comment: 14 pages, 13 figures, accepted in A & A, english corrected version

In a previous paper, Collin & Hur�� (2001), using a sample of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) where the mass has been determined by reverberation studies (Kaspi et al. 2000), have shown that if the optical luminosity is emitted by a steady accretion disc, about half of the objects are accreting close to or higher than the Eddington rate. We conclude here that this result is unavoidable, unless the masses are strongly underestimated by reverberation studies, which does not seem to be the case. There are three issues to the problem: 1. Accretion proceeds at Eddington or super-Eddington rates through thick discs. Several consequences follow: an anti-correlation between the line widths of the lines and the Eddington ratios, and a decrease of the Eddington ratio with an increasing black hole mass. Extrapolated to all quasars, these results imply that the amount of mass locked in massive black holes should be larger than presently thought. 2. The optical luminosity is not produced directly by the gravitational release of energy, and super-Eddington rates are not required. The optical luminosity has to be emitted by a dense and thick medium located at large distances from the center (10$^3$ to $10^4$ gravitational radii). It can be due to reprocessing of the X-ray photons from the central source in a geometrically thin warped disc, or in dense "blobs" forming a geometrically thick system, which can be a part of the accretion flow or the basis of an outflow. 3. Accretion discs are completely "non standard". Presently neither the predictions of models nor the observed spectral distributions are sufficient to help choosing between these solutions., 16 pages, 11 figures, accepted in A&A

Spermine is a low molecular weight polyamine involved in the postnatal maturation of the gut. When it is administered orally to suckling rats, it induces maturation of the intestinal tract (liver, pancreas and small intestine). Here we show that this polyamine is able to induce precocious intestinal and splenic development in suckling mice. In fact, in 15-day-old mice which had received spermine orally twice daily for 3 days we observed an increase in the ratio of white pulp surface to total spleen surface in comparison with untreated mice. The two macrophage subsets of the marginal zone and the B-cell population were more developed and reached the development level of 5- or 10-week-old mice. The proliferation rate of B-cells was increased by spermine administration to pups. These observations suggest that spermine might play a role in immune system development; further investigation of its effects are intended, namely the evaluation of its capacity to enhance defence during the neonatal period.

We have monitored the AGN 3C390.3 between 1995 and 2000.Two large amplitude outbursts, of different duration, in continuum and H beta light were observed ie.: in October 1994 a brighter flare that lasted about 1000 days and in July 1997 another one that lasted about 700 days were detected. The flux in the H beta wings and line core vary simultaneously, a behavior indicative of predominantly circular motions in the BLR.Important changes of the Hbeta emission profiles were detected: at times, we found profiles with prominent asymmetric wings, as those normaly seen in Sy1s, while at other times, we observe profiles with weak almost symmetrical wings, similar to those seen in Sy1.8s. We found that the radial velocity difference between the red and blue bumps is anticorrelated with the light curves of H beta and continuum radiation.e found that the radial velocity difference between the red and blue bumps is anticorrelated with the light curves of H-beta and continuum radiation. Theoretical H-beta profiles were computed for an accretion disk, the observed profiles are best reproduced by an inclined disk (25 deg) whose region of maximum emission is located roughly at 200 Rg. The mass of the black hole in 3C 390.3, estimated from the reverberation analysis is Mrev = 2.1 x 10^9 Msun, ie. 5 times larger than previous estimates, Comment: 18 pages, 13 figures, 4 tables. to appear in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Summary: Purpose: To determine the long-term efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for refractory seizures. VNS is a new treatment for refractory epilepsy. Two short-term double-blind trials have demonstrated its safety and efficacy, and one long-term study in 114 patients has demonstrated a cumulative improvement in efficacy at 1 year. We report the largest prospective long-term study of VNS to date. Methods: Patients with six or more complex partial or generalized tonic-clonic seizures enrolled in the pivotal EOS study were prospectively evaluated for 12 months. The primary outcome variable was the percentage reduction in total seizure frequency at 3 and 12 months after completion of the acute EO5 trial, compared with the preimplantation baseline. Subjects originally randomized to low stimulation (active-control group) were crossed over to therapeutic stimulation settings for the first time. Subjects initially randomized to high settings were maintained on high settings throughout the 12-month study. Results: The median reduction at 12 months after completion of the initial double-blind study was 45%. At 12 months, 35% of 195 subjects had a >50% reduction in seizures, and 20% of 195 had a >75% reduction in seizures. Conclusions: The efficacy of VNS improves during 12 months, and many subjects sustain >75% reductions in seizures.

TiO 2 thin films have been grown on (100)GaAs and (111)GaAs substrates by low-pressure metal organic chemical vapour deposition (LP-MOCVD). Titanium(IV) isopropoxide, Ti{OCH(CH 3 ) 2 } 4 , was used as a precursor and TiO 2 films were obtained without an additional oxygen flux. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) experiments have shown a well ordered rod-like crystallisation in the films grown on (100)GaAs. This ordered crystallisation was favoured by a high deposition temperature ( T d =700°C). By contrast, no distinct order was observed in the films grown on (111)GaAs substrates. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed a mainly rutile structure for the TiO 2 films deposited on (100)GaAs at 700°C. XPS results confirmed the TiO 2 stoichiometry of the surface of the films and revealed the presence of C, Ga and As as impurities.

Surface segregation of indium during molecular beam epitaxy of Ga0.85In0.15As/GaAs ( 1 1 1 ) quantum wells is studied by means of in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The intensity ratio of In-4d/Ga-3d core-level spectra is used to precisely determine the amount of segregated Indium at the surface during the growth of GaInAs on GaAs substrates. GaAs ( 1 1 1 ) substrates exactly oriented and tilted 2° toward [ 2 1 1 ] or [ 2 1 1 ] have been investigated. The results are compared to those obtained on (1 0 0) GaAs substrates. We show that the amplitude of the In segregation phenomenon is larger for the GaAs ( 1 1 1 ) substrate tilted 2° toward [ 2 1 1 ] than for the other substrates investigated for growth temperatures ranging from 380°C to 540°C. Having determined by atomic force microscopy the dependence of the terrace step structure of the GaAs ( 1 1 1 ) surface with the direction of the substrate tilt, we propose a kinetic explanation of our results. We show that an increase of the In segregation phenomenon is related to an increase of the adatom diffusion length obtained by an increase of the growth temperature and/or a modification of the terrace step structure.