Comparing the mechanical properties, microstructure, texture and in-vitro degradation behavior of TNTZ/nano-fluorapatite composite and TNTZ bioalloy.

The present study deals with (i) the fabrication of the composite surface layer of Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr/nano-fluorapatite through friction stir processing, (ii) clarifying the correlation of microstructure and texture with in-vitro degradation behavior and bioactivity of fabricated nano-biocomposite, and (iii) comparing the mechanical and functional properties of nano composite whit those obtained for TNTZ bio-alloy. The results indicated that increasing the number of deformation passes effectively refines the microstructure, leading to the average grain sizes of less than 5 µm. The texture of the material was also evolved in the presence of the nano particles where the grains reorient along <111> direction in contrast to the <101>-oriented grains in the starting microstructure. In-vitro bioactivity of the processed samples was measured after being immersed in simulated body fluid solution for various duration up to 30 days. Enhanced corrosion resistance and bio-mineralization of nanocomposite surface layer was discussed relying on the occurrence of grain refinement, substructure development and evolution of texture components along <101> direction. Assessment of the mechanical properties of the fabricated composites and as-received material also indicated the positive effect of the applied processing route and the presence of nano particles.

A cross sectional survey to estimate prevalence and associated factors of asthma on Reunion Island, Indian Ocean.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on asthma mortality and hospitalizations in Reunion Island indicate that this French territory is particularly affected by this pathology. Epidemiological studies conducted in schools also show higher prevalence rates in Reunion than in Mainland France. However, no estimates are provided on the prevalence of asthma among adults. In 2016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of asthma and to identify its associated factors in the adult population of Reunion Island. METHODS: A random sample of 2419 individuals, aged 18-44 years, was interviewed by telephone using a standardized, nationally validated questionnaire. Information was collected on the respiratory symptoms, description of asthma attacks and triggering factors for declared asthmatics, as well as data on the indoor and outdoor home environment. "Current asthma" was defined as an individual declaring, at the time of the survey, having already suffered from asthma at some point during his/her life, whose asthma was confirmed by a doctor, and who had experienced an asthma attack in the last 12 months or had been treated for asthma in the last 12 months. "Current suspected asthma" was defined as an individual presenting, in the 12 months preceding the study, groups of symptoms suggestive of asthma consistent with the literature. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of asthma was 5.4% [4.3-6.5]. After adjustment, women, obesity, a family member with asthma, tenure in current residence and presence of indoor home heating were associated with asthma. The prevalence of symptoms suggestive of asthma was 12.0% [10.2-13.8]. After adjustment, marital status, passive smoking, use of insecticide sprays, presence of mold in the home and external sources of atmospheric nuisance were associated with the prevalence of suspected asthma. CONCLUSION: Preventive actions including asthma diagnosis, promotion of individual measures to reduce risk exposure as well as the development of study to improve knowledge on indoor air allergens are recommended.

Reversion of a Parent {130}⟨310⟩_{α

In bcc metastable ß titanium alloys, and particularly in superelastic alloys, a unique {332}⟨113⟩ twinning system occurs during plastic deformation. However, in situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction during a tensile test shows that the ß phase totally transforms into α^{''} martensite under stress in a Ti-27Nb (at. %) alloy. {332}⟨113⟩_{ß} twins are thus not formed directly in the ß phase but are the result of the reversion of {130}⟨310⟩_{α^{''}} parent twins occurring in martensite under stress. The formation of an interfacial twin boundary ω phase is also observed to accommodate strains induced during the phase reversion.

Wettability influence on the onset temperature of pool boiling: Experimental evidence onto ultra-smooth surfaces.

In this article we study systematically the effect of wettability on the onset of boiling on the same nanometrically smooth surface. By grafting different monolayers of molecules, we were able to explore the wettability from the equilibrium static contact angle, θ0=0° to θ0=110°, without changing the surface topography. The superheat temperature at the onset of pool boiling was measured and eventually a non-classical trend of TONB as a function of wettability was observed. The nucleation site densities for the different grafting cases were also measured by image analysis. Moreover, we propose a novel theoretical interpretation to this phenomenon linking nucleation and the molecular diffusion coefficient. MD simulation results support this approach.

[Security of the medicinal therapy: Cartography of risks a priori within service of orthopaedic surgery]. / Sécurisation de la prise en charge médicamenteuse : cartographie des risques a priori au sein du service de chirurgie orthopédique.

INTRODUCTION: Security and quality of the Medicinal Therapy are one of the most important objectives of the April 6th, 2011 order. The objective is to realize this study of the risks incurred by patients related to management and security of medicinal therapy in order to establish a plan to reduce the risks of drug's dispensation. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The method of the Preliminary Risk Analysis (PRA) has been implemented by a multidisciplinary group in a hospital service of orthopaedic surgery. The study focused on the dispensation phase of medicinal circuit. RESULTS: This analysis revealed 148 scenarii, 35 were criticality unacceptable. Fifty-four initial risk control actions were proposed and their stress levels to put them in place were evaluated. DISCUSSION: The main measures of risk management are: training, information, communication, computerization, automation, dual control, updating the documentation system, drug reconciliation and respect for Best Practices Hospitallers (BPH). CONCLUSIONS: Risk management requires a significant human and financial investment as well as, material resources and multidisciplinary expertise in order to offer the best solutions.

Arginine: Its pKa value revisited.

Using complementary approaches of potentiometry and NMR spectroscopy, we have determined that the equilibrium acid dissociation constant (pKa value) of the arginine guanidinium group is 13.8 ± 0.1. This is substantially higher than that of ∼ 12 often used in structure-based electrostatics calculations and cited in biochemistry textbooks. The revised intrinsic pKa value helps explains why arginine side chains in proteins are always predominantly charged, even at pH values as great as 10. The high pKa value also reinforces the observation that arginine side chains are invariably protonated under physiological conditions of near neutral pH. This occurs even when the guanidinium moiety is buried in a hydrophobic micro-environment, such as that inside a protein or a lipid membrane, thought to be incompatible with the presence of a charged group.