Absolute calibration of a streaked optical pyrometer at nanosecond time scale with a luminescent concentrator.

The Streaked Optical Pyrometer (SOP) is a visible diagnostic widely used to study the warm dense matter regime at high energy laser facilities, gas guns, or ion accelerators. It is usually coupled with a Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR) diagnostic for simultaneous shock wave velocity, reflectivity, and temperature measurements to study the Equation of State (EOS) of materials. While VISAR is a well-mastered technology that provides velocity measurements with low relative uncertainties (close to percent), SOP diagnostics still suffer from high imprecision. In this article, we present a new calibration method in order to obtain absolute temperature measurements with reduced uncertainties. This approach is based on a novel light source: a Ce:YAG luminescent concentrator pumped by LEDs. This device produces enough optical power for calibration at the nanosecond sweep duration of the streak camera. As a demonstration, it has first been installed at the LULI facility and tested on quartz samples shocked at temperatures above 4000 K.

Time-resolved near backscatter imaging system on Laser MegaJoule.

The newly operating near-backscattering imaging (NBI) system on the Laser MegaJoule (LMJ) is briefly described with emphasis on the temporally resolved measurements and their synchronization with the LMJ laser pulse through target shots taken as part of the diagnostic commissioning campaign. The NBI measures the stimulated Brillouin and Raman scattered light around two quadruplets (one inner and one outer) of the upper LMJ hemisphere. The temporal resolution is achieved with a unique system: a specifically designed wide-open optical lens images 40 points of a diffuser onto an array of optical fibers with the scattered light recorded on a multiplexed photodiode array.

Scalable and practical synthesis of clickable Cu-chelating azides.

A convenient and effective synthetic access to chelating azides was designed enabling the preparation of efficient clickable fluorescent derivatives. The comparison of the reactivity of these chelating azides to regular azides showcased the striking superiority of such derivatives for labeling applications.

A contemporary description of French newborns' growth using the Efemeris cohort.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity in childhood are a major concern in developed countries. Reference growth curves are used in current practice to identify children at risk, especially at risk of overweight or obesity. National reference growth curves were published 35 years ago from children born in the 1950s to study growth from birth to adulthood. Additionally, more recent national curves exist to study birth weight and height according to gestational age. The primary objective was to describe anthropometric measurements of French children born in the 2000s and to compare them with the French references. The secondary objective was to describe overweight indicators during infancy. METHODS: A total of 77,315 singletons live-born from 1 July 2004 to 31 December 2013 recorded in the Efemeris (a French cohort of women and their children) were included. The z-score means based on the French references for weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) at birth, 9 months, and 24 months were calculated. RESULTS: At birth, the weight and height of the cohort did not deviate from the recent French references taking into account gestational age. At 9 and 24 months, the cohort was between 0.12 and 0.39 standard deviations (SD) heavier and between 0.70 and 0.97 SD taller than the old French reference population. Between 0 and 2 years, 28.6% of the children underwent a rapid weight gain (change in SD scores>0.67). The prevalence of overweight at 2 years was between 5 and 6% using the International obesity task force (IOTF) references. CONCLUSION: The distributions of the height, weight, and BMI during early childhood differ from those of children in the national growth references. Contemporary children at 2 years are taller and heavier than children born in the 1950s. Approximately one in 20 children is overweight at 2 years.

[Induction of labor in twin pregnancies compared to singleton pregnancies; risk factors for failure]. / Déclenchement du travail des grossesses gémellaires: comparaison avec les grossesses monofœtales et facteurs associés au risque d'échec.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the modalities of induction of labour in twin pregnancies compared with singleton pregnancies and to identify risk factors for failure. MATERIALS ET METHODS: A retrospective population-based study was conducted at the Toulouse University Hospital to compare a cohort of diamniotic twin gestations (Twin A in vertex presentation), with induction of labour ≥36 weeks of gestation, between January 2007 and December 2012, to a singleton's cohort that were induced ≥36 weeks of gestation during the 2007 year. One singleton pregnancy was matched for each twin pregnancy with parity and gestational age. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-six twins pregnancies met the inclusion criteria for an induction of labor and were compared to 156 single pregnancies. The same and standard protocol of induction of labor was used for the two cohorts (intrauterine balloon catheter±dinoprostone/ocytocine). The cesarean section rate for failed labor induction (cesarean in latent phase) was similar in the 2 populations (14.7% for twin vs 13.5% for single; P=0.66). The factors associated to failed induction of labor in the total population were nulliparity (OR=1.49) and Bishop score<6 at the beginning of the induction (OR=2.83). CONCLUSION: Twin did not appear as risk of failed induction. The protocol for induction of labor in singletons may be safely proposed to twin gestations.

Overview of the ARGOS X-ray framing camera for Laser MegaJoule.

Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives has developed the ARGOS X-ray framing camera to perform two-dimensional, high-timing resolution imaging of an imploding target on the French high-power laser facility Laser MegaJoule. The main features of this camera are: a microchannel plate gated X-ray detector, a spring-loaded CCD camera that maintains proximity focus in any orientation, and electronics packages that provide remotely-selectable high-voltages to modify the exposure-time of the camera. These components are integrated into an "air-box" that protects them from the harsh environmental conditions. A miniaturized X-ray generator is also part of the device for in situ self-testing purposes.

[Prevalence of overweight preschool-age children: medical examination data of schoolchildren in southwestern France]. / Prévalence du surpoids chez le jeune enfant : analyse des données des bilans de santé à 3-4ans en Haute-Garonne.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze anthropometric data in a sample of 3- to 4-year-old children examined by Mother and Infant Welfare in preschools in the Haute-Garonne area of France. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two consecutive school years (2007-2008 and 2008-2009) were analyzed. The samples studied included 5470 children the first year (mean age ± standard deviation : 3.9±0.4 years) and 4088 children the second year (4.0±0.4 years). Prevalence of overweight (defined according to International Obesity Task Force references) and its association with various factors (sex, age, and school location) were studied. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight (including obesity) was 8.4% for the 2 years, with a prevalence of obesity of 1.8% in 2007-2008 and of 1.6% in 2008-2009. Overweight was significantly more frequent in girls than in boys (10.2% vs. 6.8% in 2007-2008 and 9.7% vs. 7.2% in 2008-2009) and in schools located in Priority Education Zones (ZEP) compared to schools in non-ZEP schools (17.9% vs. 7.1% in 2007-2008 and 15.7% vs. 7.2% in 2008-2009). CONCLUSION: This analysis will be repeated to follow the prevalence of overweight in children. These preliminary results confirm the need to focus on preventive actions, screening and care for overweight and obesity in underprivileged populations.

[Blood lactate three minutes after a graded exercise test: a criterion of maximal exercise in patients with COPD]. / Lactatémie trois minutes après une EFX : un critère de maximalité chez le patient BPCO.

INTRODUCTION: The graded exercise test (GXT) is used to measure the exercise capacity of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To do this GXT must be maximal (exhaustive). However, the value of the blood lactate at the GXT endpoint [La(-)max] or after a recovery period of three minutes [La(-)recovery], to confirm that the GXT is maximal, remains controversial. The purpose of the present study is to determine a threshold of [La(-)max] and/or [La(-)recovery], which confirms the exhaustiveness of GXT in patients with COPD. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with COPD performed a GXT until exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. During the GXT cardiorespiratory parameters, [La(-)max] and [La(-)recovery] were measured. When at least three out of five of the most frequently used criteria to confirm exhaustion were met, GXT was considered as maximal. Conversely, GXT was considered as sub-maximal when less three criteria were observed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed. RESULTS: For [La(-)max] the areas under the ROC curve and the areas under the diagonal were not significantly different (P=0.16). For [La(-)recovery] the ROC curve inflected itself at 5.8mmol/L (sensitivity=0.92 and specificity=0.56). CONCLUSIONS: It was not possible to use [La(-)max] to confirm exhaustion in our population. However, [La(-)recovery]<5.8mmol/L may help to confirm non-exhaustion during GXT in patients with COPD. Below this blood lactate threshold 93% patients performed a sub-maximal GXT.

Relevance of the measure of perceived exertion for the rehabilitation of obese patients.

The most common tool used for measuring effort perception is the rating scale of perceived exertion (RPE) developed by Borg. This scale is also used for various outcomes in the general population. The validity and reliability of this scale have already been reported in obese patients. However, the relevance of measuring perceived exertion in obese patients is still poorly known. This review of the literature presents the Borg RPE scale (i.e., validity, reliability and recommendations) and its main advantages during graded exercise tests (e.g., comparison of physical capacity, predicting physiological variables, verifying exhaustion and exercise safety) and rehabilitation programs (e.g., individualized exercise intensity, evaluation of the impact of a rehabilitation program and even determining the perceptual preference) in obese patients. This review of the literature underlines the relevance and usefulness of the Borg RPE scale, which is still underused in obese patients. However, additional studies are still necessary before using this scale routinely in all obese patients (regardless of the severity of their obesity or associated complications).

Dynamic cardiorespiratory changes in obese women.

AIM: This study examined the effects of an exercise training program on ventilatory function at rest and the exercise cardiorespiratory pattern in relation to body composition in obese individuals (53.4±7.6 years; 158.6±6.7 cm). METHODS: After initial tests (exercise testing and anthropometric assessment), ten women participated in a 12-week training program combining strength exercise and aerobic exercise at the ventilatory threshold, three times per week for 90 minutes. RESULTS: The post-training mean ventilatory efficiency (ΔE/ΔCO(2)) and cardiac efficiency (ΔHR/ΔO(2)) were improved (P<0.05, respectively). Decreased fat mass (-1.2 kg, P<0.01), increased lean body mass (+1 kg, P<0.01), and decreased waist and hip circumferences (-5.5 cm and -5 cm, respectively, P<0.05) were also obtained after training. CONCLUSION: The program significantly improved a number of physiological variables in our obese patients, although not to sedentary healthy levels. The results show that a functional exercise program has the potential to improve physiological variables and dynamic cardiorespiratory response to exercise in obese women.

Quality of life and obesity class relationships.

The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of obesity class on Health-Related Quality Of Life (HRQOL) and Total daily Energy Expenditure (TEE). 69 obese individuals were self-selected to 1 of 3 groups based upon Body Mass Index (BMI). Anthropometric parameters (height, weight, waist and hip circumference, fat mass, lean body mass), biological parameters (high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides, glycaemia, total cholesterol), and resting energy expenditure were assessed for each group. The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) scale were used to measure HRQOL, and TEE was estimated by Kurpad's method. Class 3 obesity was associated with greater impairment of the physical aspects of the SF-36 (37.2±11.3), greater depression risk (8.2±4.1), and higher TEE (30.0±7.9 Kcal·day (-1)·kg (-1)) than the lower obesity classes. No difference was observed among the 3 groups in the mental and psychosocial aspects of HRQOL. Impaired physical functioning was correlated with fat mass, age, waist circumference, glycaemia control and bodily pain. TEE was positively correlated with BMI, weight, fat mass and lean body mass. The obesity class had a negative impact on the physical health aspect of HRQOL, depression risk and energy expenditure. These impairments were associated with excess fat mass, waist circumference and glycaemia parameters.

Impact of RGD micro-patterns on cell adhesion.

In order to avoid the problems related to biomaterial use (inflammation, infections, aseptic loosening, etc.), a new approach consisting of associating the material and autologous cells before implantation is being developed, thus requiring a perfect cooperation between the material's surface and the cell. To improve cell adhesion to biomaterials, a suitable method is to functionalize their surface by pro-adhesive ligand grafting. The aim of this study was to covalently graft RGD containing peptides onto a poly-(ethylene terephthalate) surface in well-defined microstructures in order to control MC3T3 cell adhesion. We followed two different routes for obtaining micro-patterned materials: (1) a photoablation technique using an excimer laser and (2) a photolithography process. The resulting patterns were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, optical profilometry and high resolution mu-imager. The biological evaluation of cell adhesion onto the micro-patterned surfaces was carried out using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. Cells seeded onto photolithographical or photoablated micro-patterned PET exhibited an alignment with the RGD domains and appear to be connecting through pseudopods extending towards each other. Whatever the technique used to create micro-patterns, a cell alignment occurs once the thickness of the RGD line reaches approximately 100 microm. These results prove the importance of microstructured surfaces for the elaboration of tissue engineered biomaterials.

Effect of force symmetry on coordination in crawl.

The relationship between breathing laterality and motor coordination symmetry as a function of the symmetry of medial rotator muscle force in the shoulders was investigated. The principal objective was to distinguish swimmer profiles. Thirteen expert male swimmers performed the front crawl and were assessed for: (i) inter-arm coordination with the IdC and arm coordination symmetry with the Symmetry Index, (ii) breathing laterality, and (iii) the symmetry of the isokinetic force in the shoulder medial rotators. The results indicated that the relative duration of catch+pull was greater for the dominant arm (51.7%) than for the non-dominant arm (48.4%) for the swimmers with force asymmetry (p<0.05) and occurred on the side with the higher force (dominant arm). Two profiles were revealed: (i) swimmers for whom breathing laterality was related to force symmetry and stroke phase duration and (ii) swimmers for whom the impact of breathing laterality on force symmetry and stroke duration was low. The first profile corresponded to sprint specialists and the second profile corresponded more to middle-distance specialists.

A versatile high-resolution x-ray imager (HRXI) for laser-plasma experiments on OMEGA.

A high-resolution x-ray imager (HRXI) devoted to laser-plasma experiments combines two state-of-the-art technologies developed in France: a high-resolution x-ray microscope and a high-speed x-ray streak camera. The resulting streaked imager achieves spatial and temporal resolutions of approximately 5 microm and approximately 10 ps, respectively. The HXRI has recorded enhanced spatial and temporal resolution radiographs of indirectly driven targets on OMEGA. This paper describes the main features of the instrument and details the activation process on OMEGA (particularly the alignment). Recent results obtained on joint CEA/LLE radiographic OMEGA experiments will also be presented.

Diagnostics hardening for harsh environment in Laser Megajoule (invited).

The diagnostic designs for the Laser Megajoule (LMJ) will require components to operate in environments far more severe than those encountered in present facilities. This harsh environment will be induced by fluxes of neutrons, gamma rays, energetic ions, electromagnetic radiations, and, in some cases, debris and shrapnel, at levels several orders of magnitude higher than those experienced today on existing facilities. The lessons learned about the vulnerabilities of present diagnostic parts fielded mainly on OMEGA for many years, have been very useful guide for the design of future LMJ diagnostics. The present and future LMJ diagnostic designs including this vulnerability approach and their main mitigation techniques will be presented together with the main characteristics of the LMJ facility that provide for diagnostic protection.

A new portable device for assessing locomotor performance.

We investigated the validity of a new portable system and the feasibility of the method for gait analysis as the assessment of gait has clinical relevance in the study of locomotor pathologies. This system is composed of a data logger, triaxial accelerometers, and software. Measurements of the pelvis kinematics during gait were performed on five hip osteoarthritic subjects and 15 healthy subjects using the portable system and a reference system (Vicon). The healthy subjects were studied in conditions of normal gait and gait altered by a heelpiece. The studied variables were the vertical amplitude of the sacrum, the time of gait cycle and the vertical trajectories of the spines. The new system corresponded with the reference system for the studied variables. The small differences between the two systems in the vertical amplitude of the sacrum (0.53 +/- 6.39 mm), time of the gait cycle (0.002 +/- 0.05 s), and the vertical trajectories of the spine (coefficient correlation of 0.06 +/- 0.05) confirmed the validity of the portable system data. The results showed a distortion of the pelvis trajectory when the gait was impaired. The portable system provides an objective method to discriminate normal from limping gait and is easy to use outside of the laboratory.

Impact of RGD peptide density grafted onto Poly(ethylene terephthalate) on MC3T3 cell attachment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different densities on MC3T3 cells attachment onto Poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film surfaces. Biomimetic modifications were performed by means of a three-step reaction procedure: creation of COOH functions onto PET surface, coupling agent grafting and finally immobilization of peptides. The originality of this work consist, in one hand on quantifying RGD peptides densities grafted onto PET, and on the other hand on studying MC3T3 cells responses after seeding on such biomimetic surfaces. After each functionalization step, modifications were validated by several physico-chemical techniques: X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy allowed to prove the grafting and high-resolution micro-imager coupled with use of radiolabelled amino acids enabled the evaluation of peptides densities. Moreover, this last technique permit us to ensure stability of binding between peptides and polymer. The efficiency of this new route for biomimetic modification of PET surface was demonstrated by measuring the adhesion at 15h of osteoblast like cells. Study of cellular comportement was realised by means of focal contact proteins (vinculin, actin) immunostaining.

RGD peptides grafting onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) with well controlled densities.

The aim of this study was to graft RGD peptides with well controlled densities onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film surfaces. Biomimetic modifications were performed by means of a four-step reaction procedure: surface modification in order to create -COOH groups onto polymer surface, coupling agent grafting and finally immobilization of peptides. The originality of this work is to evaluate several grafted densities peptides. Toluidine blue and high-resolution mu-imager (using [(3)H]-Lys) were used to evaluate densities. Moreover, mu-imager has exhibited the stability of peptides grafted onto the surface when treated under harsh conditions. Benefits of the as-proposed method were related to the different concentrations of peptides grafted onto the surface as well as the capacity of RGD peptide to interact with integrin receptors.