Background Insect meals have been identified as innovative and sustainable feedstuffs that could be used in ruminant nutrition.However,current research on the effects that their processing may have on rumen digestibil...Background Insect meals have been identified as innovative and sustainable feedstuffs that could be used in ruminant nutrition.However,current research on the effects that their processing may have on rumen digestibility and fatty acid(FA)biohydrogenation is scant.This trial aims to investigate the effects(i)of drying temperature of fullfat Hermetia illucens(HI)and Tenebrio molitor(TM)meals,and(ii)of residual ether extract(EE)content of defatted HI and TM meals,on their fermentation characteristics and FA of rumen digesta after 24-h in vitro rumen incubation.Methods The tested full-fat meals included four HI and four TM meals obtained applying drying temperatures ranging from 30℃ to 70℃,while the tested defatted meals consisted of five HI and two TM meals containing a residual EE content ranging from 4.7 to 19.7 g EE/100 g dry matter(DM).The applied statistical models(GLM ANOVA)tested the effects of insect species,drying temperature(full-fat meals)or EE content(defatted meals),and their interaction.Results Drying temperature had minor effects on in vitro ruminal digestibility and FA profile of rumen digesta.Irrespective of insect species,increasing the drying temperature led to a reduction of in vitro degradation of proteins from insect meals,as outlined by the significant decrease in ammonia production(-0.009 mmol/g DM and-0.126 g/100 g total N for each additional 1℃).Irrespective of insect species,defatting increased total gas,volatile fatty acids(VFA)and CH_(4) productions,and the proportions of total saturated and branched-chain FA in rumen digesta(+0.038 mmol/g DM,+0.063 mmol/g DM,+12.9μmol/g DM,+0.18 g/100 g FA,and+0.19 g/100 g FA for each reduced 1 g EE/100 g DM,respectively),and reduced the proportion of total PUFA(-0.12 g/100 g FA).Conclusions The applied drying temperatures of full-fat insect meals are too low to exert impactful effects on rumen digestibility and FA biohydrogenation.Fat lowered fermentation activity,probably because of an inhibitory effect on rumen microbiota.The increased ruminal digestibility of defatted insect meals suggests that they can be more suitable to be used in ruminant nutrition than full-fat ones.展开更多
Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the second leading cause of cancer worldwide.CRC is still associated with a poor prognosis among patients with advanced disease.On the contrary,due to its slow progression from detectable prec...Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the second leading cause of cancer worldwide.CRC is still associated with a poor prognosis among patients with advanced disease.On the contrary,due to its slow progression from detectable precancerous lesions,the prognosis for patients with early stages of CRC is encouraging.While most robust methods are invasive and costly,actual patient-friendly screening methods for CRC suffer of lack of sensitivity and specificity.Therefore,the development of sensitive,non-invasive and cost-effective methods for CRC detection and prognosis are necessary for increasing the chances of a cure.Beyond its beneficial functions for the host,increasing evidence suggests that the intestinal microbiota is a key factor associated with carcinogenesis.Many clinical studies have reported a disruption in the gut microbiota balance and an alteration in the faecal metabolome of CRC patients,suggesting the potential use of a microbialbased test as a non-invasive diagnostic and/or prognostic tool for CRC screening.This review aims to discuss the microbial signatures associated with CRC known to date,including dysbiosis and faecal metabolome alterations,andthe potential use of microbial variation markers for noninvasive early diagnosis and/or prognostic assessment of CRC and advanced adenomas.We will finally discuss the possible use of these markers as predicators for treatment response and their limitations.展开更多
BACKGROUND The individual performances and the complementarity of Crohn’s disease(CD)activity index(CDAI),C-reactive protein(CRP)and faecal calprotectin(Fcal)to monitor patients with CD remain poorly inves-tigated in...BACKGROUND The individual performances and the complementarity of Crohn’s disease(CD)activity index(CDAI),C-reactive protein(CRP)and faecal calprotectin(Fcal)to monitor patients with CD remain poorly inves-tigated in the era of“tight control”and“treat to target”strategies.AIM To assess CDAI,CRP and Fcal variation,alone or combined,after 12 wk(W12)of anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF)therapy to predict corticosteroids-free remission(CFREM=CDAI<150,CRP<2.9 mg/L and Fcal<250μg/g with no therapeutic intensification and no surgery)at W52.METHODS CD adult patients needing anti-TNF therapy with CDAI>150 and either CRP>2.9 mg/L or Fcal>250μg/g were prospectively enrolled.RESULTS Among the 40 included patients,13 patients(32.5%)achieved CFREM at W52.In univariable analysis,CDAI<150 at W12(P=0.012),CRP level<2.9 mg/L at W12(P=0.001)and Fcal improvement at W12(Fcal<300μg/g)or,for patients with initial Fcal<300μg/g,at least 50%decrease of Fcal or normalization of Fcal(<100μg/g)(P=0.001)were predictive of CFREM at W52.Combined endpoint(CDAI<150 and CRP≤2.9 mg/L and FCal improvement)at W12 was the best predictor of CFREM at W52 with positive predictive value=100.0%(100.0-100.0)and negative predictive value=87.1%(75.3-98.9).In multivariable analysis,Fcal improvement at W12[odd ratio(OR)=45.1(2.96-687.9);P=0.03]was a better predictor of CFREM at W52 than CDAI<150[OR=9.3(0.36-237.1);P=0.145]and CRP<2.9 mg/L(0.77-278.0;P=0.073).CONCLUSION The combined monitoring of CDAI,CRP and Fcal after anti-TNF induction therapy is able to predict favorable outcome within one year in patients with CD.展开更多
Background:Risk factors for the etiology of post-weaning diarrhea,a major problem in swine industry associated with enormous economic losses,remain to be fully elucidated.In concordance with the ethical concerns raise...Background:Risk factors for the etiology of post-weaning diarrhea,a major problem in swine industry associated with enormous economic losses,remain to be fully elucidated.In concordance with the ethical concerns raised by animal experiments,we developed a new in vitro model of the weaning piglet colon(MPigut-IVM)including a mucin bead compartment to reproduce the mucus surface from the gut to which gut microbes can adhere.Results:Our results indicated that the MPigut-IVM is able to establish a representative piglet archaeal and bacterial colon microbiota in terms of taxonomic composition and function.The MPigut-IVM was consequently used to investigate the potential effects of feed deprivation,a common consequence of weaning in piglets,on the microbiota.The lack of nutrients in the MPigut-IVM led to an increased abundance of Prevotellaceae and Escherichia-Shigella and a decrease in Bacteroidiaceae and confirms previous in vivo findings.On top of a strong increase in redox potential,the feed deprivation stress induced modifications of microbial metabolite production such as a decrease in acetate and an increase in proportional valerate,isovalerate and isobutyrate production.Conclusions:The MPigut-IVM is able to simulate luminal and mucosal piglet microbiota and represent an innovative tool for comparative studies to investigate the impact of weaning stressors on piglet microbiota.Besides,weaning-associated feed deprivation in piglets provokes disruptions of MPigut-IVM microbiota composition and functionality and could be implicated in the onset of post-weaning dysbiosis in piglets.展开更多
Oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)is an important electrochemical process for renewable energy conversion and storage applications such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries.ORR is sluggish in kinetics and requires a larg...Oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)is an important electrochemical process for renewable energy conversion and storage applications such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries.ORR is sluggish in kinetics and requires a large amount of platinum group metal(PGM)-based catalysts to facilitate its slow reaction rate.Application of precious metals raises the cost and decreases the competitivity of these devices in the market.To address this challenge,PGM-free ORR catalysts have been intensively investigated as an alternative to replace the PGM-based catalysts and to promote the deployment of ORR-related applications.In particular,the biomass holds promising potential to be used as the precursor material for PGM-free ORR catalysts.This pathway has gained more and more attention in recent years.In this review,recent advances regarding biomass-derived ORR catalysts are summarized with a focus on the rational design of both active sites and porous structures which are the two key factors in determining ORR performance of catalysts.At the end,the perspectives of development of biomass-derived catalysts is discussed.展开更多
This paper demonstrates an intrinsic modulation of the cutoff wavelength in the spectra for solar selective absorbing coating based on high-entropy films.The(NiCuCrFeSi)N((NCCFS)N)films were deposited by a magnetron s...This paper demonstrates an intrinsic modulation of the cutoff wavelength in the spectra for solar selective absorbing coating based on high-entropy films.The(NiCuCrFeSi)N((NCCFS)N)films were deposited by a magnetron sputtering system.Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy analysis confirms the uniform composition and good homogeneity of these high-entropy films.The real and imaginary parts of the permittivity for the(NCCFS)N material are calculated on the basis of the reflectance spectral fitting results.A redshift cutoff wavelength of the reflectance spectrum with increasing nitrogen gas flow rate exists because of the different levels of dispersion when changing nitrogen content.To realize significant solar absorption,the film surface was reconstituted to match its impedance with air by designing a pyramid nanostructure metasurface.Compared with the absorptance of the as-deposited films,the designed metasurface obtains a significant improvement in solar absorption with the absorptance increasing from 0.74 to 0.99.The metasurfaces also show low mid-infrared emissions with thermal emittance that can be as low as 0.06.These results demonstrate a new idea in the design of solar selective absorbing surface with controllable absorptance and low infrared emission for high-efficiency photo-thermal conversion.展开更多
Among the geotechnical in situ tests,the dynamic penetration test(DPT)is commonly used around the world.However,DPT remains a rough technique and provides only one failure parameter:blow count or cone resistance.This ...Among the geotechnical in situ tests,the dynamic penetration test(DPT)is commonly used around the world.However,DPT remains a rough technique and provides only one failure parameter:blow count or cone resistance.This paper presents an improvement of the dynamic cone penetration test(DCPT)for soil characterisation based on the wave equation theory.Implemented on an instrumented lightweight dynamic penetrometer driving with variable energy,the main process of the test involves the separation and reconstruction of the waves propagating in the rods after each blow and provides a dynamic cone load-penetration(DCLT)curve.An analytical methodology is used to analyse this curve and to estimate additional strength and deformation parameters of the soil:dynamic and pseudo-static cone resistances,deformation modulus and wave velocity.Tests carried out in the laboratory on different specimens(wood,concrete,sand and clay)in an experimental sand pit and in the field demonstrated that the resulting DCLT curve is reproducible,sensitive and reliable to the test conditions(rod length,driving energy,etc.)as well as to the soil properties(nature,density,etc.).Obtained results also showed that the method based on shock polar analysis makes it possible to evaluate mechanical impedance and wave velocity of soils,as demonstrated by the comparisons with cone penetration test(CPT)and shear wave velocity measurements made in the field.This technique improves the method and interpretation of DPT and provides reliable data for shallow foundation design.展开更多
AIM To assess magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and faecal calprotectin to detect endoscopic postoperative recurrence in patients with Crohn's disease(CD).METHODS From two tertiary centers,all patients with CD who un...AIM To assess magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and faecal calprotectin to detect endoscopic postoperative recurrence in patients with Crohn's disease(CD).METHODS From two tertiary centers,all patients with CD who underwent ileocolonic resection were consecutively and prospectively included.All the patients underwent MRI and endoscopy within the first year after surgery or after the restoration of intestinal continuity[median=6 mo(5.0-9.3)].The stools were collected the day before the colonoscopy to evaluate faecal calprotectin level.Endoscopic postoperative recurrence(POR)was defined as Rutgeerts'index≥i2b.The MRI was analyzed independently by two radiologists blinded from clinical data.RESULTS Apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)was lower in patients with endoscopic POR compared to those with no recurrence(2.03±0.32 vs 2.27±0.38×10^(-3)mm^2/s,P=0.032).Clermont score(10.4±5.8 vs 7.4±4.5,P=0.038)and relative contrast enhancement(RCE)(129.4%±62.8%vs 76.4%±32.6%,P=0.007)were significantly associated with endoscopic POR contrary to the magnetic resonance index of activity(Ma RIA)(7.3±4.5 vs 4.8±3.7;P=0.15)and MR scoring system(P=0.056).ADC<2.35×10^(-3)mm^2/s[sensitivity=0.85,specificity=0.65,positive predictive value(PPV)=0.85,negative predictive value(NPV)=0.65]and RCE>100%(sensitivity=0.75,specificity=0.81,PPV=0.75,NPV=0.81)were the best cutoff values to identify endoscopic POR.Clermont score>6.4(sensitivity=0.61,specificity=0.82,PPV=0.73,NPV=0.74),Ma RIA>3.76(sensitivity=0.61,specificity=0.82,PPV=0.73,NPV=0.74)and a MR scoring system≥MR1(sensitivity=0.54,specificity=0.82,PPV=0.70,and NPV=0.70)demonstrated interesting performances to detect endoscopic POR.Faecal calprotectin values were significantly higher in patients with endoscopic POR(114±54.5μg/g vs 354.8±432.5μg/g;P=0.0075).Faecal calprotectin>100μg/g demonstrated high performances to detect endoscopic POR(sensitivity=0.67,specificity=0.93,PPV=0.89 and NPV=0.77).CONCLUSION Faecal calprotectin and MRI are two reliable tools to detect endoscopic POR in patients with CD.展开更多
BACKGROUND The association between the intestinal microbiota and psychiatric disorders is becoming increasingly apparent.The gut microbiota contributes to colorectal carcinogenesis(CRC),as demonstrated with colibactin...BACKGROUND The association between the intestinal microbiota and psychiatric disorders is becoming increasingly apparent.The gut microbiota contributes to colorectal carcinogenesis(CRC),as demonstrated with colibactin-producing Escherichia coli(CoPEC).AIM To evaluate the association between CoPEC prevalence and anxiety-and depressive-like behaviors with both preclinical and clinical approaches.METHODS Patients followed after a CRC surgery and for whom the prevalence of CoPEC has been investigated underwent a psychiatric interview.Results were compared according to the CoPEC colonization.In parallel C57BL6/J wild type mice and mice with a CRC susceptibility were chronically infected with a CoPEC strain.Their behavior was assessed using the Elevated Plus Maze test,the Forced Swimming Test and the Behavior recognition system PhenoTyper®.RESULTS In a limited cohort,all patients with CoPEC colonization presented with psychiatric disorders several years before cancer diagnosis,whereas only one patient(17%)without CoPEC did.This result was confirmed in C57BL6/J wildtype mice and in a CRC susceptibility mouse model(adenomatous polyposis colimultiple intestinal neoplasia/+).Mice exhibited a significant increase in anxiety-and depressive-like behaviors after chronic infection with a CoPEC strain.CONCLUSION This finding provides the first evidence that CoPEC infection can induce microbiota-gut-brain axis disturbances in addition to its procarcinogenic properties.展开更多
The origin and history of the Earth are manifested as the evolutionary processes of chemistry and physics of its interiors,which can be recognized by deciphering the geochemical signals recorded in minerals and rocks....The origin and history of the Earth are manifested as the evolutionary processes of chemistry and physics of its interiors,which can be recognized by deciphering the geochemical signals recorded in minerals and rocks.Deep interiors of the Earth and other rocky planets are under both extreme pressure and temperature,i.e.,approximately 360 gigapascals(GPa)and as high as 7000 K at the center of the Earth.展开更多
A type of high molecular weight bioactive polymers called exopolysaccharides(EPS)are produced by thermophiles,the extremophilic microbes that thrive in acidic environmental conditions of hot springs with excessively w...A type of high molecular weight bioactive polymers called exopolysaccharides(EPS)are produced by thermophiles,the extremophilic microbes that thrive in acidic environmental conditions of hot springs with excessively warm temperatures.Over time,EPS became important as natural biotechnological additives because of their noncytotoxic,emulsifying,antioxidant,or immunostimulant activities.In this article,we unravelled a new EPS produced by Staphy-lococcus sp.BSP3 from an acidic(pH 6.03)San Pedro hot spring(38.1℃)located in the central Andean mountains in Chile.Several physicochemical techniques were performed to characterize the EPS structure including Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(SEM-EDS),Atomic Force Microscopy(AFM),High-Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC),Gel permeation chromatography(GPC),Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR),1D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance(NMR),and Thermogravimetric analysis(TGA).It was confirmed that the amorphous surface of the BSP3 EPS,composed of rough pillar-like nanostructures,is evenly distributed.The main EPS monosaccharide constituents were mannose(72%),glucose(24%)and galactose(4%).Also,it is a medium molecular weight(43.7 kDa)heteropolysaccharide.NMR spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of a[→6)-α-d-Manp-(1→6)-α-d-Manp-(1→]backbone 2-O substituted with 1-α-d-Manp.A high thermal stability of EPS(287°C)was confirmed by TGA analysis.Emulsification,antioxidant,flocculation,water-holding(WHC),and oil-holding(OHC)capacities are also studied for biotechnological industry applications.The results demonstrated that BSP3 EPS could be used as a biodegradable material for different purposes,like flocculation and natural additives in product formulation.展开更多
In this article,we investigate the spectral properties of a class of neutron transport operators involving elastic and inelastic collision operators introduced by Larsen and Zweifel[1].Our analysis is manly focused on...In this article,we investigate the spectral properties of a class of neutron transport operators involving elastic and inelastic collision operators introduced by Larsen and Zweifel[1].Our analysis is manly focused on the description of the asymptotic spectrum which is very useful in the study of the properties of the solution to Cauchy problem governed by such operators(when it exists).The last section of this work is devoted to the properties of the leading eigenvalue(when it exists).So,we discuss the irreducibility of the semigroups generated by these operators.We close this section by discussing the strict monotonicity of the leading eigenvalue with respect to the parameters of the operator.展开更多
BACKGROUND Thymic epithelial carcinomas are rare and have a poor prognosis.Treatment of thymic epithelial carcinoma is multimodal and includes surgery,post-operative radiation therapy,adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemothe...BACKGROUND Thymic epithelial carcinomas are rare and have a poor prognosis.Treatment of thymic epithelial carcinoma is multimodal and includes surgery,post-operative radiation therapy,adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy,or exclusive chemotherapy based on disease resectability.However,there is currently no standard treatment regimen for metastatic and recurrent thymic carcinoma.CASE SUMMARY A 45-year-old Caucasian male,with no past medical history,presented with hepatalgia and a cervical mass.A computed tomography(CT)scan showed multiple suspect lesions in the lungs,liver,and anterior mediastinum associated with mediastinal and cervical adenopathy.CT-guided percutaneous biopsies of the liver lesions and anterior mediastinal mass were performed,confirming the histopathology of thymic epithelial carcinoma.Management consisted of several chemotherapy regimens and radiation therapy,administered between April 2016 and December 2018.The patient achieved complete metabolic response.Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT performed in June 2019 showed disease relapse,with reappearance of a large hypermetabolic hepatic mass and involvement of mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes.Intravenous pembrolizumab(200 mg,every 3 wk)was administered after two prior systemic therapies.The patient’s response to treatment was last documented on March 5,2020.CONCLUSION Pembrolizumab was successful in treatment of a patient with programmed deathligand 1-negative metastatic thymic carcinoma,pretreated with chemotherapy.展开更多
Talc is a layered hydrous silicate mineral that plays a vital role in transporting water into Earth’s interior and is crucial for explaining geophysical observations in subduction zone settings.In this study,we explo...Talc is a layered hydrous silicate mineral that plays a vital role in transporting water into Earth’s interior and is crucial for explaining geophysical observations in subduction zone settings.In this study,we explored the structure,equation of state,and elasticity of both triclinic and monoclinic talc under high pressures up to 18 GPa using first principles simulations based on density functional theory corrected for dispersive forces.Our results indicate that principal components of the full elastic constant tensor C_(11) and C_(22),shear components C_(66),and several off-diagonal components show anomalous pressure dependence.This non-monotonic pressure dependence of elastic constant components is likely related to the structural changes and is often manifested in a polytypic transition from a low-pressure polytype talc-I to a high-pressure polytype talc-Ⅱ.The polytypic transition of talc occurs at pressures within its thermodynamic stability.However,the bulk and shear elastic moduli show no anomalous softening.Our study also shows that talc has low velocity,extremely high anisotropy,and anomalously high V_(P)/V_(S) ratio,thus making it a potential candidate mineral phase that could readily explain unusually high V_(P)/V_(S) ratio and large shear wave splitting delays as observed from seismological studies in many subduction systems.展开更多
Seafloor irregularities influence rupture behavior along the subducting slab and in the overriding plate,thus affecting earthquake cycles.Whether seafloor irregularities increase the likelihood of large earthquakes in...Seafloor irregularities influence rupture behavior along the subducting slab and in the overriding plate,thus affecting earthquake cycles.Whether seafloor irregularities increase the likelihood of large earthquakes in a subduction zone remains contested,partially due to focus put either on fault development or on rupture pattern.Here,we simulate a subducting slab with a seafloor irregularity and the resulting deformation pattern of the overriding plate using the discrete element method.Our simulations illustrate the rupture along three major fault systems:megathrust,splay and backthrust faults.Our results show different rupture dimensions of earthquake events varying from tens to ca.140 km.Our results suggest that the recurrence interval of megathrust events with rupture length of ca.100 km is ca.140 years,which is overall comparable to the paleoseismic records at the Mentawai area of the Sumatran zone.We further propose the coseismic slip amounts decrease and interseismic slip amounts increase from the surface downwards gradually.We conclude that the presence of seafloor irregularities significantly affects rupture events along the slab as well as fault patterns in the overriding plate.展开更多
The Shaitian granite complex(SGC)spans more than 80 Ma of crustal growth in the Arabian–Nubian Shield in southeast Egypt.It is a voluminous composite intrusion(60 km2)comprising a host tonalite massif intruded by sub...The Shaitian granite complex(SGC)spans more than 80 Ma of crustal growth in the Arabian–Nubian Shield in southeast Egypt.It is a voluminous composite intrusion(60 km2)comprising a host tonalite massif intruded by subordinate dyke-like masses of trondhjemite,granodiorite and monzogranite.The host tonalite,in turn,encloses several,fine-grained amphibolite enclaves.U-Pb zircon dating indicates a wide range of crystallization ages within the SGC(800±18Ma for tonalites;754±3.9 Ma for trondhjemite;738±3.8 Ma for granodiorite;and 717±3.2 Ma for monzogranite),suggesting crystallization of independent magma pulses.The high positiveεNdi(+6–+8)indicate that the melting sources were dominated by juvenile material without any significant input from older crust.Application of zircon saturation geothermometry indicates increasing temperatures during the generation of melts from 745±31℃ for tonalite to 810±25℃ for trondhjemite;840±10℃ for granodiorite;and 868±10℃ for monzogranite.The pressure of partial melting is loosely constrained to be below the stability of residual garnet(<10 kbar)as inferred fromthe almost flat HREE pattern((Gd/Lu)N=0.9–1.1),but>3 kbar for the stability of residual amphibole as inferred from the significantly lower NbN and TaN compared with LREEN and the sub-chondrite Nb/Ta ratios exhibited by the granitic phases.The inverse relation between the generation temperatures and the ages estimates of the granitoid lithologies argue against a significant role of fractional crystallization.The major and trace element contents indicate the emplacement of the SGC within a subduction zone setting.It lacks distinctive features for melt derived from a subducted slab(e.g.high Sr/Y and high(La/Yb)N ratios),and the relatively low MgO and Ni contents in all granite phases within the SGC suggest melting within the lower crust of an island arc overlying a mantlewedge.Comparisonwith melts produced during melting experiments indicates an amphibolite of basaltic composition is the best candidate as source for the tonalite,trondhjemite and granodiorite magmas whereas the monzogranite magma is most consistent with fusion of a tonalite protolith.Given the overlapping Sm-Nd isotope ratios as well as several trace element ratios between monzogranite and tonalite samples,it is reasonable to suggest that the renewed basaltic underplating may have caused partialmelting of tonalite and the emplacement ofmonzogranite melt within the SGC.The emplacement of potassic granite(monzogranite)melts subsequent to the emplacement of Na-rich granites(tonalitetrondhjemite-granodiorite)most likely suggests major crustal thickening prior arc collision and amalgamation into the over thickened proto-crust of the Arabian-Nubian shield.Eventually,after complete consolidation,the whole SGC was subjected to regional deformation,most probably during accretion to the Saharan Metacraton(arc–continent collisions)in the late Cryogenian-Ediacaran times(650–542 Ma).展开更多
The need for home palliative care is increasing in allWestern countries.Community pharmacists are local professionals whose role in end-of-life care at home remains poorly understood.The aim of this study is to unders...The need for home palliative care is increasing in allWestern countries.Community pharmacists are local professionals whose role in end-of-life care at home remains poorly understood.The aim of this study is to understand how community pharmacists see their role in end-of-life home care in France,and to analyze their experiences of this care.An online questionnaire was distributed to community pharmacists working in France between December 2022 and March 2023.Of the 136 respondents to the questionnaire,87%had accompanied at least one patient at the end of life in the 3 months preceding the survey.Therapeutic education(88%of respondents),psychological support for caregivers(85%of respondents),securing treatment(82%of respondents)and monitoring therapeutic compliance(80%of respondents)are the behaviors validated by the greatest number of participants.The majority of professionals surveyed had a positive overall experience of managing patients at the end of life.These results pave the way for pharmacists to better support end-of-life patients at home.展开更多
The paper presents a novel quantum method for addressing two fundamental routing problems:the Traveling Salesman Problem(TSP)and theVehicle Routing Problem(VRP),both central to routing challenges.The proposed method,n...The paper presents a novel quantum method for addressing two fundamental routing problems:the Traveling Salesman Problem(TSP)and theVehicle Routing Problem(VRP),both central to routing challenges.The proposed method,named the Indirect Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm(IQAOA),leverages an indirect solution representation using ranking.Our contribution focuses on two main areas:1)the indirect representation of solutions,and 2)the integration of this representation into an extended version of QAOA,called IQAOA.This approach offers an alternative to QAOA and includes the following components:1)a quantum parameterized circuit designed to simulate string vectors on a quantum processor,2)a classical meta-optimization method executed on a classical computer,and 3)the computation of the average cost for each string vector,achieved through a well-established algorithm from the operations research community tailored to the specific problem.IQAOA provides an efficient means to address quantum optimization problems by combining quantum and classical computation methods.Its primary advantage lies in deriving a quantum circuit that requires significantly fewer gates,making it suitable for execution on current noisy quantum computing platforms.Through numerical experiments employing IQAOA,we successfully solved instances of the 10-customer Traveling Salesman Problem(TSP)using the IBM simulator.To our knowledge,this is the largest application of a QAOA-based approach to solving the TSP.Additionally,IQAOA enables the resolution of the Vehicle Routing Problem(VRP)by leveraging the Split algorithm,which transforms a TSP permutation into a corresponding VRP solution.展开更多
Public authorities frequently mandate public or private agencies to manage their renewable natural resources.Contrary to the agency,which is an expert in renewable natural resource management,public authorities usuall...Public authorities frequently mandate public or private agencies to manage their renewable natural resources.Contrary to the agency,which is an expert in renewable natural resource management,public authorities usually ignore the sustainable level of harvest.In this note,we first model the contractual relationship between a principal,who owns the renewable natural resource,and an agent,who holds private information on its sustainable level of harvest.We then look for the Pareto-optimal allocations.In the situation of an imperfect information setting,we find that the Pareto-optimal contracting depends on the probability that the harvesting level stands outside the sustainability interval.The information rent held by the agent turns out to be unavoidable,such that stepping outside the sustainability interval implies the possibility of depletion of the renewable natural resource.This,in turn,compromises the maintenance of the ecological balance in natural ecosystems.展开更多
Composite materials are attracting considerable interest in water treatment due to their specific properties.Given these properties and the need to remove dyes from water,this work aims to develop an innovative compos...Composite materials are attracting considerable interest in water treatment due to their specific properties.Given these properties and the need to remove dyes from water,this work aims to develop an innovative composite material based on local clay(abundant and inexpensive),TiO_(2) and CuO for wastewater treatment application.Although much work has been devoted to the design of clay-based composites,to our knowledge,no study has explored the use of Boula-Ibib clay decorated with TiO_(2) and CuO to adsorb tartrazine(TTRZ)in aqueous solution.The CuO—TiO_(2)—clay composite was synthesized by incorporating TiO_(2) and CuO on the clay surface using the sol—gel method.The crystalline properties,morphology and specific surface area of the composite were examined by X-ray diffraction,X-ray fluorescence,scanning electron microscopy and the Brunauer—Emmett—Teller method respectively.As results,the specific surface area of 85.23 m^(2)·g^(-1)was obtained for the CuO—TiO_(2)—clay which is higher than that of the raw clay(53.84 m^(2)·g^(-1)).The results of adsorption studies showed a TTRZ uptake capacity of 16.08 mg·g^(-1)after 30 min,with a concentration of 50 mg·L^(-1),at pH 6.4 with the optimal composite mass of 0.01 g.Kinetic and isothermal studies showed that adsorption obeyed the pseudosecond-order model and the Radke—Prausnitz isotherm.Thermodynamic studies revealed that the adsorption of TTRZ by the composite is an exothermic,non-spontaneous process that leads to a reduction of disorder in the system.It was established that CuO—TiO_(2)—clay could be effectively reused over four cycles without damage of its structure which represent an economic advantage.展开更多
基金partially granted by the Hi-Ga project,which is part of the programme of the Green ERA-Hub that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No.101056828self-financed by the DINAMIC team of the UMR Herbivores(INRAE,VetAgro Sup,Saint-Genès-Champanelle,France)。
文摘Background Insect meals have been identified as innovative and sustainable feedstuffs that could be used in ruminant nutrition.However,current research on the effects that their processing may have on rumen digestibility and fatty acid(FA)biohydrogenation is scant.This trial aims to investigate the effects(i)of drying temperature of fullfat Hermetia illucens(HI)and Tenebrio molitor(TM)meals,and(ii)of residual ether extract(EE)content of defatted HI and TM meals,on their fermentation characteristics and FA of rumen digesta after 24-h in vitro rumen incubation.Methods The tested full-fat meals included four HI and four TM meals obtained applying drying temperatures ranging from 30℃ to 70℃,while the tested defatted meals consisted of five HI and two TM meals containing a residual EE content ranging from 4.7 to 19.7 g EE/100 g dry matter(DM).The applied statistical models(GLM ANOVA)tested the effects of insect species,drying temperature(full-fat meals)or EE content(defatted meals),and their interaction.Results Drying temperature had minor effects on in vitro ruminal digestibility and FA profile of rumen digesta.Irrespective of insect species,increasing the drying temperature led to a reduction of in vitro degradation of proteins from insect meals,as outlined by the significant decrease in ammonia production(-0.009 mmol/g DM and-0.126 g/100 g total N for each additional 1℃).Irrespective of insect species,defatting increased total gas,volatile fatty acids(VFA)and CH_(4) productions,and the proportions of total saturated and branched-chain FA in rumen digesta(+0.038 mmol/g DM,+0.063 mmol/g DM,+12.9μmol/g DM,+0.18 g/100 g FA,and+0.19 g/100 g FA for each reduced 1 g EE/100 g DM,respectively),and reduced the proportion of total PUFA(-0.12 g/100 g FA).Conclusions The applied drying temperatures of full-fat insect meals are too low to exert impactful effects on rumen digestibility and FA biohydrogenation.Fat lowered fermentation activity,probably because of an inhibitory effect on rumen microbiota.The increased ruminal digestibility of defatted insect meals suggests that they can be more suitable to be used in ruminant nutrition than full-fat ones.
基金Supported by Inserm and UniversitéClermont Auvergne(UMR 1071)INRA(USC-2018)grants from"Conseil regional Auvergne-Rhones-Alpes"and FDER/CPER
文摘Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the second leading cause of cancer worldwide.CRC is still associated with a poor prognosis among patients with advanced disease.On the contrary,due to its slow progression from detectable precancerous lesions,the prognosis for patients with early stages of CRC is encouraging.While most robust methods are invasive and costly,actual patient-friendly screening methods for CRC suffer of lack of sensitivity and specificity.Therefore,the development of sensitive,non-invasive and cost-effective methods for CRC detection and prognosis are necessary for increasing the chances of a cure.Beyond its beneficial functions for the host,increasing evidence suggests that the intestinal microbiota is a key factor associated with carcinogenesis.Many clinical studies have reported a disruption in the gut microbiota balance and an alteration in the faecal metabolome of CRC patients,suggesting the potential use of a microbialbased test as a non-invasive diagnostic and/or prognostic tool for CRC screening.This review aims to discuss the microbial signatures associated with CRC known to date,including dysbiosis and faecal metabolome alterations,andthe potential use of microbial variation markers for noninvasive early diagnosis and/or prognostic assessment of CRC and advanced adenomas.We will finally discuss the possible use of these markers as predicators for treatment response and their limitations.
文摘BACKGROUND The individual performances and the complementarity of Crohn’s disease(CD)activity index(CDAI),C-reactive protein(CRP)and faecal calprotectin(Fcal)to monitor patients with CD remain poorly inves-tigated in the era of“tight control”and“treat to target”strategies.AIM To assess CDAI,CRP and Fcal variation,alone or combined,after 12 wk(W12)of anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF)therapy to predict corticosteroids-free remission(CFREM=CDAI<150,CRP<2.9 mg/L and Fcal<250μg/g with no therapeutic intensification and no surgery)at W52.METHODS CD adult patients needing anti-TNF therapy with CDAI>150 and either CRP>2.9 mg/L or Fcal>250μg/g were prospectively enrolled.RESULTS Among the 40 included patients,13 patients(32.5%)achieved CFREM at W52.In univariable analysis,CDAI<150 at W12(P=0.012),CRP level<2.9 mg/L at W12(P=0.001)and Fcal improvement at W12(Fcal<300μg/g)or,for patients with initial Fcal<300μg/g,at least 50%decrease of Fcal or normalization of Fcal(<100μg/g)(P=0.001)were predictive of CFREM at W52.Combined endpoint(CDAI<150 and CRP≤2.9 mg/L and FCal improvement)at W12 was the best predictor of CFREM at W52 with positive predictive value=100.0%(100.0-100.0)and negative predictive value=87.1%(75.3-98.9).In multivariable analysis,Fcal improvement at W12[odd ratio(OR)=45.1(2.96-687.9);P=0.03]was a better predictor of CFREM at W52 than CDAI<150[OR=9.3(0.36-237.1);P=0.145]and CRP<2.9 mg/L(0.77-278.0;P=0.073).CONCLUSION The combined monitoring of CDAI,CRP and Fcal after anti-TNF induction therapy is able to predict favorable outcome within one year in patients with CD.
文摘Background:Risk factors for the etiology of post-weaning diarrhea,a major problem in swine industry associated with enormous economic losses,remain to be fully elucidated.In concordance with the ethical concerns raised by animal experiments,we developed a new in vitro model of the weaning piglet colon(MPigut-IVM)including a mucin bead compartment to reproduce the mucus surface from the gut to which gut microbes can adhere.Results:Our results indicated that the MPigut-IVM is able to establish a representative piglet archaeal and bacterial colon microbiota in terms of taxonomic composition and function.The MPigut-IVM was consequently used to investigate the potential effects of feed deprivation,a common consequence of weaning in piglets,on the microbiota.The lack of nutrients in the MPigut-IVM led to an increased abundance of Prevotellaceae and Escherichia-Shigella and a decrease in Bacteroidiaceae and confirms previous in vivo findings.On top of a strong increase in redox potential,the feed deprivation stress induced modifications of microbial metabolite production such as a decrease in acetate and an increase in proportional valerate,isovalerate and isobutyrate production.Conclusions:The MPigut-IVM is able to simulate luminal and mucosal piglet microbiota and represent an innovative tool for comparative studies to investigate the impact of weaning stressors on piglet microbiota.Besides,weaning-associated feed deprivation in piglets provokes disruptions of MPigut-IVM microbiota composition and functionality and could be implicated in the onset of post-weaning dysbiosis in piglets.
基金This study is financially supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada(NSERC)the Fonds de Recherche du Québec—Nature et Technologies(FRQNT),Centre Québécois sur les Materiaux Fonctionnels(CQMF)+3 种基金Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique(INRS)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.21805064)SS acknowledges the ECS-Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship.LD acknowledges the scholarship under the International Postdoctoral Exchange Fellowship Program by the Office of China Postdoctoral Council(Grant No.20180072)FRQNT for the Postdoctoral scholarship(V2,file number:274384)in Quebec Canada.
文摘Oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)is an important electrochemical process for renewable energy conversion and storage applications such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries.ORR is sluggish in kinetics and requires a large amount of platinum group metal(PGM)-based catalysts to facilitate its slow reaction rate.Application of precious metals raises the cost and decreases the competitivity of these devices in the market.To address this challenge,PGM-free ORR catalysts have been intensively investigated as an alternative to replace the PGM-based catalysts and to promote the deployment of ORR-related applications.In particular,the biomass holds promising potential to be used as the precursor material for PGM-free ORR catalysts.This pathway has gained more and more attention in recent years.In this review,recent advances regarding biomass-derived ORR catalysts are summarized with a focus on the rational design of both active sites and porous structures which are the two key factors in determining ORR performance of catalysts.At the end,the perspectives of development of biomass-derived catalysts is discussed.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51732001,U1832219,and 51972013)Beijing Natural Science Foundation(No.2182035)+1 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,the Program of China Scholarships Council(No.201806020161)the Academic Excellence Foundation of Beihang University(BUAA)for Ph.D.Students.
文摘This paper demonstrates an intrinsic modulation of the cutoff wavelength in the spectra for solar selective absorbing coating based on high-entropy films.The(NiCuCrFeSi)N((NCCFS)N)films were deposited by a magnetron sputtering system.Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy analysis confirms the uniform composition and good homogeneity of these high-entropy films.The real and imaginary parts of the permittivity for the(NCCFS)N material are calculated on the basis of the reflectance spectral fitting results.A redshift cutoff wavelength of the reflectance spectrum with increasing nitrogen gas flow rate exists because of the different levels of dispersion when changing nitrogen content.To realize significant solar absorption,the film surface was reconstituted to match its impedance with air by designing a pyramid nanostructure metasurface.Compared with the absorptance of the as-deposited films,the designed metasurface obtains a significant improvement in solar absorption with the absorptance increasing from 0.74 to 0.99.The metasurfaces also show low mid-infrared emissions with thermal emittance that can be as low as 0.06.These results demonstrate a new idea in the design of solar selective absorbing surface with controllable absorptance and low infrared emission for high-efficiency photo-thermal conversion.
文摘Among the geotechnical in situ tests,the dynamic penetration test(DPT)is commonly used around the world.However,DPT remains a rough technique and provides only one failure parameter:blow count or cone resistance.This paper presents an improvement of the dynamic cone penetration test(DCPT)for soil characterisation based on the wave equation theory.Implemented on an instrumented lightweight dynamic penetrometer driving with variable energy,the main process of the test involves the separation and reconstruction of the waves propagating in the rods after each blow and provides a dynamic cone load-penetration(DCLT)curve.An analytical methodology is used to analyse this curve and to estimate additional strength and deformation parameters of the soil:dynamic and pseudo-static cone resistances,deformation modulus and wave velocity.Tests carried out in the laboratory on different specimens(wood,concrete,sand and clay)in an experimental sand pit and in the field demonstrated that the resulting DCLT curve is reproducible,sensitive and reliable to the test conditions(rod length,driving energy,etc.)as well as to the soil properties(nature,density,etc.).Obtained results also showed that the method based on shock polar analysis makes it possible to evaluate mechanical impedance and wave velocity of soils,as demonstrated by the comparisons with cone penetration test(CPT)and shear wave velocity measurements made in the field.This technique improves the method and interpretation of DPT and provides reliable data for shallow foundation design.
文摘AIM To assess magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and faecal calprotectin to detect endoscopic postoperative recurrence in patients with Crohn's disease(CD).METHODS From two tertiary centers,all patients with CD who underwent ileocolonic resection were consecutively and prospectively included.All the patients underwent MRI and endoscopy within the first year after surgery or after the restoration of intestinal continuity[median=6 mo(5.0-9.3)].The stools were collected the day before the colonoscopy to evaluate faecal calprotectin level.Endoscopic postoperative recurrence(POR)was defined as Rutgeerts'index≥i2b.The MRI was analyzed independently by two radiologists blinded from clinical data.RESULTS Apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)was lower in patients with endoscopic POR compared to those with no recurrence(2.03±0.32 vs 2.27±0.38×10^(-3)mm^2/s,P=0.032).Clermont score(10.4±5.8 vs 7.4±4.5,P=0.038)and relative contrast enhancement(RCE)(129.4%±62.8%vs 76.4%±32.6%,P=0.007)were significantly associated with endoscopic POR contrary to the magnetic resonance index of activity(Ma RIA)(7.3±4.5 vs 4.8±3.7;P=0.15)and MR scoring system(P=0.056).ADC<2.35×10^(-3)mm^2/s[sensitivity=0.85,specificity=0.65,positive predictive value(PPV)=0.85,negative predictive value(NPV)=0.65]and RCE>100%(sensitivity=0.75,specificity=0.81,PPV=0.75,NPV=0.81)were the best cutoff values to identify endoscopic POR.Clermont score>6.4(sensitivity=0.61,specificity=0.82,PPV=0.73,NPV=0.74),Ma RIA>3.76(sensitivity=0.61,specificity=0.82,PPV=0.73,NPV=0.74)and a MR scoring system≥MR1(sensitivity=0.54,specificity=0.82,PPV=0.70,and NPV=0.70)demonstrated interesting performances to detect endoscopic POR.Faecal calprotectin values were significantly higher in patients with endoscopic POR(114±54.5μg/g vs 354.8±432.5μg/g;P=0.0075).Faecal calprotectin>100μg/g demonstrated high performances to detect endoscopic POR(sensitivity=0.67,specificity=0.93,PPV=0.89 and NPV=0.77).CONCLUSION Faecal calprotectin and MRI are two reliable tools to detect endoscopic POR in patients with CD.
基金Supported by the French patient’s association against cancer(ligue contre le cancer),No.00001005238the French government IDEXISITE initiative,No.16-IDEX-0001-CAP 20-25+2 种基金CPER(Nex-N-Mob)the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region(“Thématiquesémergentes”),No.AV0004111the Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur,de la Recherche et de l'Innovation,INSERM,University of Clermont Auvergne[UMR1071,UMR1107],INRAE[USC-1382].
文摘BACKGROUND The association between the intestinal microbiota and psychiatric disorders is becoming increasingly apparent.The gut microbiota contributes to colorectal carcinogenesis(CRC),as demonstrated with colibactin-producing Escherichia coli(CoPEC).AIM To evaluate the association between CoPEC prevalence and anxiety-and depressive-like behaviors with both preclinical and clinical approaches.METHODS Patients followed after a CRC surgery and for whom the prevalence of CoPEC has been investigated underwent a psychiatric interview.Results were compared according to the CoPEC colonization.In parallel C57BL6/J wild type mice and mice with a CRC susceptibility were chronically infected with a CoPEC strain.Their behavior was assessed using the Elevated Plus Maze test,the Forced Swimming Test and the Behavior recognition system PhenoTyper®.RESULTS In a limited cohort,all patients with CoPEC colonization presented with psychiatric disorders several years before cancer diagnosis,whereas only one patient(17%)without CoPEC did.This result was confirmed in C57BL6/J wildtype mice and in a CRC susceptibility mouse model(adenomatous polyposis colimultiple intestinal neoplasia/+).Mice exhibited a significant increase in anxiety-and depressive-like behaviors after chronic infection with a CoPEC strain.CONCLUSION This finding provides the first evidence that CoPEC infection can induce microbiota-gut-brain axis disturbances in addition to its procarcinogenic properties.
文摘The origin and history of the Earth are manifested as the evolutionary processes of chemistry and physics of its interiors,which can be recognized by deciphering the geochemical signals recorded in minerals and rocks.Deep interiors of the Earth and other rocky planets are under both extreme pressure and temperature,i.e.,approximately 360 gigapascals(GPa)and as high as 7000 K at the center of the Earth.
基金funded by FONDECYT Regular,Grant Number 1231917 by ANID,Govt.of Chile.
文摘A type of high molecular weight bioactive polymers called exopolysaccharides(EPS)are produced by thermophiles,the extremophilic microbes that thrive in acidic environmental conditions of hot springs with excessively warm temperatures.Over time,EPS became important as natural biotechnological additives because of their noncytotoxic,emulsifying,antioxidant,or immunostimulant activities.In this article,we unravelled a new EPS produced by Staphy-lococcus sp.BSP3 from an acidic(pH 6.03)San Pedro hot spring(38.1℃)located in the central Andean mountains in Chile.Several physicochemical techniques were performed to characterize the EPS structure including Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(SEM-EDS),Atomic Force Microscopy(AFM),High-Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC),Gel permeation chromatography(GPC),Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR),1D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance(NMR),and Thermogravimetric analysis(TGA).It was confirmed that the amorphous surface of the BSP3 EPS,composed of rough pillar-like nanostructures,is evenly distributed.The main EPS monosaccharide constituents were mannose(72%),glucose(24%)and galactose(4%).Also,it is a medium molecular weight(43.7 kDa)heteropolysaccharide.NMR spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of a[→6)-α-d-Manp-(1→6)-α-d-Manp-(1→]backbone 2-O substituted with 1-α-d-Manp.A high thermal stability of EPS(287°C)was confirmed by TGA analysis.Emulsification,antioxidant,flocculation,water-holding(WHC),and oil-holding(OHC)capacities are also studied for biotechnological industry applications.The results demonstrated that BSP3 EPS could be used as a biodegradable material for different purposes,like flocculation and natural additives in product formulation.
文摘In this article,we investigate the spectral properties of a class of neutron transport operators involving elastic and inelastic collision operators introduced by Larsen and Zweifel[1].Our analysis is manly focused on the description of the asymptotic spectrum which is very useful in the study of the properties of the solution to Cauchy problem governed by such operators(when it exists).The last section of this work is devoted to the properties of the leading eigenvalue(when it exists).So,we discuss the irreducibility of the semigroups generated by these operators.We close this section by discussing the strict monotonicity of the leading eigenvalue with respect to the parameters of the operator.
文摘BACKGROUND Thymic epithelial carcinomas are rare and have a poor prognosis.Treatment of thymic epithelial carcinoma is multimodal and includes surgery,post-operative radiation therapy,adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy,or exclusive chemotherapy based on disease resectability.However,there is currently no standard treatment regimen for metastatic and recurrent thymic carcinoma.CASE SUMMARY A 45-year-old Caucasian male,with no past medical history,presented with hepatalgia and a cervical mass.A computed tomography(CT)scan showed multiple suspect lesions in the lungs,liver,and anterior mediastinum associated with mediastinal and cervical adenopathy.CT-guided percutaneous biopsies of the liver lesions and anterior mediastinal mass were performed,confirming the histopathology of thymic epithelial carcinoma.Management consisted of several chemotherapy regimens and radiation therapy,administered between April 2016 and December 2018.The patient achieved complete metabolic response.Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT performed in June 2019 showed disease relapse,with reappearance of a large hypermetabolic hepatic mass and involvement of mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes.Intravenous pembrolizumab(200 mg,every 3 wk)was administered after two prior systemic therapies.The patient’s response to treatment was last documented on March 5,2020.CONCLUSION Pembrolizumab was successful in treatment of a patient with programmed deathligand 1-negative metastatic thymic carcinoma,pretreated with chemotherapy.
基金supported by the US National Science Foundation grant EAR 1763215 and EAR 1753125XSEDE facilities(GEO170003)+4 种基金the High-Performance Computing,Research Computing Center,Florida State Universitythe UK’s National Supercomputer Service through the UK CarParrinello Consortium(EPSRC Grant No.EP/P022561/1)and project ID d56"Planetary Interiors"funding from the INSU-CNRSthe French Government Laboratory of Excellence initiative n°ANR-10-LABX-0006,the Région Auvergnethe European Regional Development Fund(Cler Volc contribution number 530).
文摘Talc is a layered hydrous silicate mineral that plays a vital role in transporting water into Earth’s interior and is crucial for explaining geophysical observations in subduction zone settings.In this study,we explored the structure,equation of state,and elasticity of both triclinic and monoclinic talc under high pressures up to 18 GPa using first principles simulations based on density functional theory corrected for dispersive forces.Our results indicate that principal components of the full elastic constant tensor C_(11) and C_(22),shear components C_(66),and several off-diagonal components show anomalous pressure dependence.This non-monotonic pressure dependence of elastic constant components is likely related to the structural changes and is often manifested in a polytypic transition from a low-pressure polytype talc-I to a high-pressure polytype talc-Ⅱ.The polytypic transition of talc occurs at pressures within its thermodynamic stability.However,the bulk and shear elastic moduli show no anomalous softening.Our study also shows that talc has low velocity,extremely high anisotropy,and anomalously high V_(P)/V_(S) ratio,thus making it a potential candidate mineral phase that could readily explain unusually high V_(P)/V_(S) ratio and large shear wave splitting delays as observed from seismological studies in many subduction systems.
基金This work is Earth Observatory of Singapore contribution(No.M4430217.B50.706022)the Ministry of Science and Technology(Grant Nos.MOST 109-2116-M-008-029-MY3,MOST 110-2124-M-002-008,and MOST 110-2634-F-008-008)。
文摘Seafloor irregularities influence rupture behavior along the subducting slab and in the overriding plate,thus affecting earthquake cycles.Whether seafloor irregularities increase the likelihood of large earthquakes in a subduction zone remains contested,partially due to focus put either on fault development or on rupture pattern.Here,we simulate a subducting slab with a seafloor irregularity and the resulting deformation pattern of the overriding plate using the discrete element method.Our simulations illustrate the rupture along three major fault systems:megathrust,splay and backthrust faults.Our results show different rupture dimensions of earthquake events varying from tens to ca.140 km.Our results suggest that the recurrence interval of megathrust events with rupture length of ca.100 km is ca.140 years,which is overall comparable to the paleoseismic records at the Mentawai area of the Sumatran zone.We further propose the coseismic slip amounts decrease and interseismic slip amounts increase from the surface downwards gradually.We conclude that the presence of seafloor irregularities significantly affects rupture events along the slab as well as fault patterns in the overriding plate.
基金the outcome of a joint research project between Assiut University,Université Clermont-Auvergne,Ball State University,Swedish Museum of Natural History,Michigan State University and Notre Dame Universityfinancial support from the Geology Department,Assiut University+1 种基金Major and trace elements analyses were carried out with a grant from Science and Technology Development Fund(STDF),Egypt to Ali Abu El-Rus(contract no.6107)U-Pb analyses of zircons were funded through a Ball-State University internal grant to K.Nicholson and S.Malone.
文摘The Shaitian granite complex(SGC)spans more than 80 Ma of crustal growth in the Arabian–Nubian Shield in southeast Egypt.It is a voluminous composite intrusion(60 km2)comprising a host tonalite massif intruded by subordinate dyke-like masses of trondhjemite,granodiorite and monzogranite.The host tonalite,in turn,encloses several,fine-grained amphibolite enclaves.U-Pb zircon dating indicates a wide range of crystallization ages within the SGC(800±18Ma for tonalites;754±3.9 Ma for trondhjemite;738±3.8 Ma for granodiorite;and 717±3.2 Ma for monzogranite),suggesting crystallization of independent magma pulses.The high positiveεNdi(+6–+8)indicate that the melting sources were dominated by juvenile material without any significant input from older crust.Application of zircon saturation geothermometry indicates increasing temperatures during the generation of melts from 745±31℃ for tonalite to 810±25℃ for trondhjemite;840±10℃ for granodiorite;and 868±10℃ for monzogranite.The pressure of partial melting is loosely constrained to be below the stability of residual garnet(<10 kbar)as inferred fromthe almost flat HREE pattern((Gd/Lu)N=0.9–1.1),but>3 kbar for the stability of residual amphibole as inferred from the significantly lower NbN and TaN compared with LREEN and the sub-chondrite Nb/Ta ratios exhibited by the granitic phases.The inverse relation between the generation temperatures and the ages estimates of the granitoid lithologies argue against a significant role of fractional crystallization.The major and trace element contents indicate the emplacement of the SGC within a subduction zone setting.It lacks distinctive features for melt derived from a subducted slab(e.g.high Sr/Y and high(La/Yb)N ratios),and the relatively low MgO and Ni contents in all granite phases within the SGC suggest melting within the lower crust of an island arc overlying a mantlewedge.Comparisonwith melts produced during melting experiments indicates an amphibolite of basaltic composition is the best candidate as source for the tonalite,trondhjemite and granodiorite magmas whereas the monzogranite magma is most consistent with fusion of a tonalite protolith.Given the overlapping Sm-Nd isotope ratios as well as several trace element ratios between monzogranite and tonalite samples,it is reasonable to suggest that the renewed basaltic underplating may have caused partialmelting of tonalite and the emplacement ofmonzogranite melt within the SGC.The emplacement of potassic granite(monzogranite)melts subsequent to the emplacement of Na-rich granites(tonalitetrondhjemite-granodiorite)most likely suggests major crustal thickening prior arc collision and amalgamation into the over thickened proto-crust of the Arabian-Nubian shield.Eventually,after complete consolidation,the whole SGC was subjected to regional deformation,most probably during accretion to the Saharan Metacraton(arc–continent collisions)in the late Cryogenian-Ediacaran times(650–542 Ma).
基金Cetteétude aétéréalisée grâce au soutien financier de la Fondation de France (numéro d’engagement 00101618).
文摘The need for home palliative care is increasing in allWestern countries.Community pharmacists are local professionals whose role in end-of-life care at home remains poorly understood.The aim of this study is to understand how community pharmacists see their role in end-of-life home care in France,and to analyze their experiences of this care.An online questionnaire was distributed to community pharmacists working in France between December 2022 and March 2023.Of the 136 respondents to the questionnaire,87%had accompanied at least one patient at the end of life in the 3 months preceding the survey.Therapeutic education(88%of respondents),psychological support for caregivers(85%of respondents),securing treatment(82%of respondents)and monitoring therapeutic compliance(80%of respondents)are the behaviors validated by the greatest number of participants.The majority of professionals surveyed had a positive overall experience of managing patients at the end of life.These results pave the way for pharmacists to better support end-of-life patients at home.
文摘The paper presents a novel quantum method for addressing two fundamental routing problems:the Traveling Salesman Problem(TSP)and theVehicle Routing Problem(VRP),both central to routing challenges.The proposed method,named the Indirect Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm(IQAOA),leverages an indirect solution representation using ranking.Our contribution focuses on two main areas:1)the indirect representation of solutions,and 2)the integration of this representation into an extended version of QAOA,called IQAOA.This approach offers an alternative to QAOA and includes the following components:1)a quantum parameterized circuit designed to simulate string vectors on a quantum processor,2)a classical meta-optimization method executed on a classical computer,and 3)the computation of the average cost for each string vector,achieved through a well-established algorithm from the operations research community tailored to the specific problem.IQAOA provides an efficient means to address quantum optimization problems by combining quantum and classical computation methods.Its primary advantage lies in deriving a quantum circuit that requires significantly fewer gates,making it suitable for execution on current noisy quantum computing platforms.Through numerical experiments employing IQAOA,we successfully solved instances of the 10-customer Traveling Salesman Problem(TSP)using the IBM simulator.To our knowledge,this is the largest application of a QAOA-based approach to solving the TSP.Additionally,IQAOA enables the resolution of the Vehicle Routing Problem(VRP)by leveraging the Split algorithm,which transforms a TSP permutation into a corresponding VRP solution.
基金financially supported by a grant overseen by the French National Forestry Office through the Forests for Tomorrow International Teaching and Research Chair(Convention particulière n°1/2013)supported by the French National Research Agency through the Laboratory of Excellence ARBRE,a part of the Investments for the Future Program(ANR 11--LABX-0002-01).
文摘Public authorities frequently mandate public or private agencies to manage their renewable natural resources.Contrary to the agency,which is an expert in renewable natural resource management,public authorities usually ignore the sustainable level of harvest.In this note,we first model the contractual relationship between a principal,who owns the renewable natural resource,and an agent,who holds private information on its sustainable level of harvest.We then look for the Pareto-optimal allocations.In the situation of an imperfect information setting,we find that the Pareto-optimal contracting depends on the probability that the harvesting level stands outside the sustainability interval.The information rent held by the agent turns out to be unavoidable,such that stepping outside the sustainability interval implies the possibility of depletion of the renewable natural resource.This,in turn,compromises the maintenance of the ecological balance in natural ecosystems.
基金the Erasmus+International Credit Mobility for the Grant(2019-1-FR01-KA107-060920)between Uni La Salle Polytechnic Institute and University of Maroua。
文摘Composite materials are attracting considerable interest in water treatment due to their specific properties.Given these properties and the need to remove dyes from water,this work aims to develop an innovative composite material based on local clay(abundant and inexpensive),TiO_(2) and CuO for wastewater treatment application.Although much work has been devoted to the design of clay-based composites,to our knowledge,no study has explored the use of Boula-Ibib clay decorated with TiO_(2) and CuO to adsorb tartrazine(TTRZ)in aqueous solution.The CuO—TiO_(2)—clay composite was synthesized by incorporating TiO_(2) and CuO on the clay surface using the sol—gel method.The crystalline properties,morphology and specific surface area of the composite were examined by X-ray diffraction,X-ray fluorescence,scanning electron microscopy and the Brunauer—Emmett—Teller method respectively.As results,the specific surface area of 85.23 m^(2)·g^(-1)was obtained for the CuO—TiO_(2)—clay which is higher than that of the raw clay(53.84 m^(2)·g^(-1)).The results of adsorption studies showed a TTRZ uptake capacity of 16.08 mg·g^(-1)after 30 min,with a concentration of 50 mg·L^(-1),at pH 6.4 with the optimal composite mass of 0.01 g.Kinetic and isothermal studies showed that adsorption obeyed the pseudosecond-order model and the Radke—Prausnitz isotherm.Thermodynamic studies revealed that the adsorption of TTRZ by the composite is an exothermic,non-spontaneous process that leads to a reduction of disorder in the system.It was established that CuO—TiO_(2)—clay could be effectively reused over four cycles without damage of its structure which represent an economic advantage.
