Recent publications
Astronomy is the most important subject treated in the Philosophical Transactions and the Mémoires de l’Académie Royal in 1715. Articles by Halley and Maraldi have been selected for analysis. The process type profiles of the two articles are very similar. The object of study is the most important type of theme in both, but the proportion of themes of this type in Maraldi’s text is much greater than that in Halley’s. Surprisingly, temporal themes play a significant role in Halley’s text. Also surprising is the fact that, in Halley’s text, adjunct themes are more frequent than subject themes. Nominalized processes tend to be material rather than mental, but the difference is greater in Halley’s text than in Maraldi’s. First person pronoun subjects tend to occur with mental process verbs, but whereas in Halley’s text material processes also play a part, there are hardly any in Maraldi’s text. These linguistic differences between the two texts can be explained in terms of their differing stances, that of Halley being Baconian and hence empirical, that of Maraldi being Cartesian and hence deductive.
Protonation studies of the complex [Fe2(µ‐pdt)(κ2‐dmpe)2(CO)2] (1), inspired by the [FeFe]‐hydrogenases active site cofactor, yield terminal and bridging hydrido isomers in a ratio that depends on the acid strength and steric hindrance. A terminal hydride ligand is mainly obtained in presence of weaker acids such as [HPtBu3][BF4] and [HNEt3][BF4] while a bridging isomer is predominantly formed with stronger acids such as [HPPh3][BF4] and [H(OEt2)][BF4]. The terminal isomer is comparatively stable and undergoes isomerization into the bridging hydride following first‐order kinetics, with half‐lives of 21 days and 3 days at room temperature and 40°C, respectively.
Issues
Dentists can play a key role in screening for psychoactive substances use. This systematic review aimed to identify the knowledge, attitudes and practices of dentists related to screening for use of psychoactive substances and the facilitating factors and barriers.
Approach
According to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses, four databases were searched until July 2024 to identify reports relating to screening for substance use by dentists. Search terms used key words relating to knowledge, attitudes or practices concerning the screening of tobacco, alcohol or any other substance use.
Key Findings
Twenty reports met the inclusion criteria for this review. In practice, dentists were more likely to identify tobacco use than alcohol or other substance use. Although the screening for tobacco was widely performed by dentists, the proposal of interventions was less frequent. Despite the opinion of many dentists that screening is part of their professional role, particularly tobacco, their knowledge of how to identify and intervene seemed low. Lack of knowledge or training were identified as barriers.
Implications
Identification of these factors should encourage greater diffusion of recommended tools for screening and development of initial and continuing training for dentists. These factors should convince decision‐makers to help dentists to identify referral solutions, in particular coordinated care pathways, and to consider the acceptability and feasibility of the screening tools available to dentists.
Conclusion
Tobacco use was more frequently identified than was other substances, screening was always more frequent than interventions, and lack of training proved to be the main barriers to screening. Education and training in the screening of psychoactive substance use is a key factor in encouraging improved practices, particularly on intervention following detection and on substances other than tobacco.
This paper is devoted to the static bifurcation of a nonlinear elastic chain with softening and both direct and indirect interactions. This system is also known as a generalized softening FPU system (Fermi–Pasta–lam nonlinear lattice) with nonlinear interactions (nonlinear direct and second-neighbouring interactions). The static response of this n-degree-of-freedom nonlinear system under pure tension loading is theoretically and numerically investigated. The mathematical problem is equivalent to a nonlinear fourth-order difference eigenvalue problem. The bifurcation parameters are calculated from the exact resolution of the fourth-order linearized difference eigenvalue problem. It is shown that the bifurcation diagram of the generalized softening FPU system depends on the stiffness ratio of both the linear and the nonlinear parts of the nonlinear lattice, which accounts for both short range and long range interactions. This system possesses both a saddle node bifurcation (limit point) and some unstable bifurcation branches for the parameters of interest. We show that for some range of structural parameters, the bifurcations in (n−1) unstable bifurcation branches prevail before the limit point. In the complementary domain of the structural parameters, the bifurcations in (n−1) unstable bifurcation branches prevail after the limit point, which means that the system becomes unstable first, at the limit point. At the border between both domains in the space of structural parameters, the bifurcation in (n−1) unstable bifurcation branches coincide with the limit point, with an addition unstable fundamental branch. This case is the hill-top bifurcation, already analysed by Challamel et al. (Int J Non-Linear Mech 156(104509): 1-11, 2023) in the case interaction. We also numerically highlight the possibility for such a generalized FPU system to possess possible imperfection sensitivity. Numerical results support the fact that the structural boundary of the hill-top bifurcation coincides with the transition between imperfection sensitive to imperfection insensitive systems.
Purpose
The aim was to establish a functional MRI protocol for analyzing human stereoscopic vision in clinical practice. The feasibility was established in a cohort of 9 healthy subjects to determine the functional cortical areas responsible for virtually relief vision.
Methods
Nine healthy right-handed subjects underwent orthoptic examination and functional MRI. The activation paradigms used were based on a block sequence with the projection of static and dynamic 2D and 3D test patterns during three experiments. The test patterns were projected through two separate eyepieces to create stereoscopic vision. SPM software was used for post-processing and data analysis.
Results
Among the three different test patterns used, the second, which corresponded to a static high-relief image of a billiard, appeared to be significant for identifying cortical area activation during stereoscopy. In the group analysis, only areas V3A and V6 showed statistically significant activation. Individual analysis revealed activation of the rostral IPS and V5/MT+.
Conclusion
More data is needed to determine the precise cortical area of activation for stereoscopy. This study proposes a useful and accessible method for functional MRI analysis of stereoscopy.
The agricultural sector plays a crucial role in sustaining population growth and ensuring our well-being. However, as this sector faces numerous challenges due to environmental conditions and the increasing population, it is essential to identify natural alternatives that promote sustainable farming practices and protect the environment. Seaweed-based extracts have gained popularity in agriculture because of their numerous benefits for plant growth and health. This study focuses on Fucus vesiculosus Linnaeus, a brown seaweed species prevalent along the Brittany coast. The research involved comparing enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) with conventional aqueous extraction methods for the purpose of determining the effectiveness of EAE in producing enriched extracts that could have an interesting agricultural application. The results indicates that enzymatic extraction of F. vesiculosus significantly increased the content of neutral sugars by 34% and reducing sugars by 21% in the extracts, compared to conventional aqueous extraction (WE). Regarding plant growth regulators, the levels of isopentenyladenosine (iPR) and cis-zeatin (cZ) were enhanced by 6 times and 28 times, respectively, when using EAE instead of WE. Additionally, the total phenolic content was notably higher in EAE extracts, showing a twofold increase over WE extracts. Furthermore, the various extracts demonstrated superior antioxidant activity compared to raw F. vesiculosus powder. Thus, this study confirms that EAE is an effective method for enriching F. vesiculosus extracts with various compounds that can play a vital role in agriculture.
Objective
Recently, three distinct phenotypes of patients with Sjögren disease (SjD) have been described based on cluster analysis: B cell active with low symptoms (BALS), high systemic activity (HSA), and low systemic activity with high symptoms (LSAHS). We aimed to assess whether these clusters were associated with distinct biomarkers and the prognostic value of interferon (IFN) signature.
Methods
The Assessment of Systemic Signs and Evolution in Sjögren's Syndrome cohort is a 20‐year prospective cohort of patients with SjD. The following biomarkers were compared: IFN‐α2, IFN‐γ, CXCL10, CXCL13, BAFF, interleukin (IL)‐7, fms‐like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand, CCL19, and tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNF‐RII). IFN signature was assessed using transcriptomic analysis. We then compared systemic and symptomatic evolution, and the risk of new immunosuppressant prescription and of lymphoma, according to the IFN signature across the three clusters.
Results
A total of 395 patients (94% female, median age 53 [interquartile range 43–63] years) were included. Higher levels of CXCL13, IL‐7, and TNF‐RII were found in the BALS and HSA clusters compared with the LSAHS cluster. A high IFN signature was mainly found in the BALS cluster (57%, vs 48% and 38% in the HSA and LSAHS clusters, respectively). This IFN signature was mainly driven by type I IFN, with higher levels of IFN‐α2. In the BALS cluster, a high IFN signature was associated with a higher risk of new immunosuppressant treatment (hazard ratio 9.38; 95% confidence interval 1.22–72.16). All lymphoma occurred in patients with high IFN signature.
Conclusion
The three SjD clusters displayed distinct expressions of IFN signature and markers of T and B cell activation, confirming distinct pathophysiologic mechanisms. High IFN signature could predict systemic evolution in the BALS cluster.
Background
Unhealthy behaviours contributing to cardiovascular issues, diabetes, strokes, and cancer, pose significant health risks. General practitioners (GPs) are pivotal in guiding behaviour change, with Motivational Interviewing (MI) showing promise. MI, developed by William Miller and Stephen Rollnick, aims to enhance motivation for change. Despite its efficacy in areas like smoking cessation and weight loss, its uptake among French GPs remains uncertain.
Methods
This qualitative study was to explore GPs’ understanding of MI, its perceived benefits and the obstacles to its implementation in western Brittany (Finistère). Semi-structured interviews, conducted by two female trainees, explored MI knowledge, benefits, and barriers with a thematic analysis.
Results
Between November 2020 and May 2021, 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted with GPs. Participants had a limited understanding of MI, often confusing it with persuasion. MI was seen as a patient-centered tool fostering behavioural change, with reported benefits in cancer screening, chronic disease management, and vaccination. However, barriers such as time constraints, limited training availability, and systemic issues hinder its adoption. Participants emphasized MI’s utility for challenging cases but noted it was unnecessary for engaged patients. MI could also enhance doctor-patient relationships and physician satisfaction. Overcoming barriers requires addressing logistical issues, integrating MI into training, and promoting its long-term efficiency to improve healthcare outcomes.
Conclusion
This study highlighted GPs’ limited knowledge of MI but recognized its value in promoting patient-centered care and behaviour change. GPs identified its potential in areas like cancer screening, chronic disease management, and vaccine hesitancy while noting barriers such as time constraints and insufficient training. Addressing these challenges through better integration into training and practice could enhance patient outcomes and provider satisfaction. Focused efforts are needed to translate MI’s potential into routine clinical use.
Introduction
Augmented reality is a promising technology for enhancing remote medical assistance. It assists users by directly projecting the relevant virtual assistance in the real world at the right moment and at the right location. This modality is called colocalization but has not been validated in parabolic flights. Our hypothesis was that this modality is technically feasible in weightlessness and is superior to a paper checklist in assisting a caregiver during a simulated medical emergency.
Methods
During parabolic flight campaigns, we conducted an abdominal pain simulation scenario and sought to compare procedural assistances. Participants performed a basic medical examination using either classic cognitive aids (such as a paper checklist) or an augmented-reality device projecting visual co-localized (situated or embedded) assistance.
Results
Gravity variations induced technical difficulties in the nominal functioning of augmented-reality headsets due to the native accelerometers in these devices. Clinical data were not interpretable due to small sample size secondary to the technical difficulties encountered. Finally, an efficient and stable spatial tracking configuration was found during the last flight, offering future research perspectives.
Conclusions
Our study validated the first achievement of a stable co-localized assistance under gravity variation. The augmented-reality headset required an external tracking system based on surrounding infrared cameras and an in-flight calibration to recreate the virtual environment (spatial mapping) independently of gravity conditions. Further studies are needed to clinically validate the potential benefits of co-localized augmented reality for space medicine.
Whereas molybdenum dinitrogen complexes have played a major role as catalytic model systems of nitrogenase, corresponding tungsten complexes were in most cases found to be catalytically inactive. Herein, we present a modified pentadentate tetrapodal (pentaPod) phosphine ligand in which two dimethylphosphine groups of the pentaPodMe (P5Me) ligand have been replaced with phospholanes (Pln). The derived molybdenum complex [Mo(N2)P5Pln] generates 22 and the analogous tungsten complex [W(N2)P5Pln] 7 equivalents of NH3 from N2 in the presence of 180 equivalents of SmI2(THF)2/H2O, rendering the latter the first tungsten complex chemocatalytically converting N2 to NH3. In contrast, the tungsten complex [W(N2)P5Me] generates ammonia from N2 only in a slightly overstoichiometric fashion. The reasons for these reactivity differences are investigated with the help of spectroscopic and electrochemical methods.
An anisolyl-picolinate antenna grafted onto different macrocyclic ligands such as tacn, pyclen or cyclen renders the resulting terbium (III) complexes highly sensitive towards oxygen in aqueous solutions, enabling the design of ratiometric or lifetime-based molecular sensors. The underlying sensitization mechanism was investigated on analogous Gd(III) complexes and the oxygen sensitivity was studied using transient absorption spectroscopy. The antenna-based triplet lifetime increased up to 900-fold upon degassing, underscoring the role of the ligand excited states in designing highly sensitive oxygen probes.
Background
From several decades, the evolutions of the Incidence Rate (IR) of Primary Knee Arthroplasties are continuously increasing worldwide and have been widely studied in several countries. Some recent works have highlighted the fact that the IR is following a sigmoid curve composed of an exponential growth followed by a linear phase and finished by a plateau. Our objective is to assess the IR evolution of eleven European countries, representing thus a large proportion of this continent, regarding this sigmoid.
Methods
IRs of primary knee arthroplasties for Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom between 2005 and 2019 were retrieved from the EUROSTAT database. Several regression models were fitted to each country’s IRs: Poisson, linear, asymptotic, logistic, and Gompertz regression. For each country and each model, the RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) and R² were calculated and used to estimate their position with respect to this sigmoid curve.
Results
The best regression models for knee arthroplasties varied following countries. Logistic and Gompertz regressions had the lowest RMSE and R2 values for Austria, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and the UK. Hungary, Italy, and Poland favored the Poisson regression model. Finland and Spain presented difficulties in determining the optimal model (linear or Poisson), while France faced challenges in choosing between logistic, Gompertz, and linear regression.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the growth dynamics of IR differ across European countries. Some countries seem to have already reached a plateau and will therefore experience slight growth in the future.
The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) exhibits significant intraspecific diversity globally, with distinct ecotypes identified in various regions. In the Guadeloupe archipelago, the citizen science NGO OMMAG has been monitoring these dolphins for over a decade, documenting two distinct morphotypes. This study investigates whether these morphotypes represent coastal and oceanic ecotypes, which have not been previously identified in the region. We characterized morphological differences between the two morphotypes, analyzed genetic variation in individuals stranded around Guadeloupe over the past ten years, and modeled their habitats. Results revealed that these morphotypes align with the ecotypes described in the Atlantic Ocean, forming two distinct genetic groups corresponding to Caribbean ecotypes. Habitat modeling showed differences in habitat preferences between the morphotypes. These findings provide strong evidence for the existence of two distinct ecotypes of T. truncatus in Guadeloupe. Considering the varied risks of exposure to maritime traffic, our study suggests that these ecotypes should be managed as separate units within the species to better inform conservation strategies in the region.
This observation reports the case of an occupational allergic asthma in a laboratory technician, caused by exposure to formaldehyde. She experienced feelings of discomfort during low exposure, below the regulatory exposure thresholds. Sent to occupational medicine, signs of an asthma attack were noted by the doctor. Respiratory function tests showed bronchial hyperactivity. The diagnosis of formaldehyde asthma was made due to the recurrence of signs during exposure and the absence of other allergies. This type of occupational asthma is rare nowly and this case is an opportunity to recall what the different occupational asthmas are and which are the most common among laboratory technicians.
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