Approach of Pavement Surface Layer Degradation Caused by Tire Contact Using Semi-Analytical Model.

New methods of degradations on the pavement's surface, such as top-down cracking and delamination, caused by the repeated passage of heavy vehicles led to questions about the impact of the contact between the tire and the pavement. In fact, to increase the service life of the structures, future road design methods must have a precise knowledge of the consequences of the contact parameters on the state of stress and deformation in the pavement. In this paper, tractive rolling contact under the effect of friction is modeled by Kalker's theory using a semi-analytical method (SAM). A tire profile is performed thanks to a digitization by fringes or a photogrammetry technique. The effect of rolling on the main surface extension deformations is then highlighted to study top cracking. At the end of the SAM calculation, contact areas are closed to 200 µdef, exceeding the allowable micro-deformation limit for the initiation of cracking. In addition, results on the main strain directions also give information on the direction of cracking (initiation of longitudinal or transverse cracks). The cracking then becomes evident, leading to a reduced service life.

A new species of the genus Thrips (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) from the Malagasy Region.

The genus Thrips comprises 296 species (ThripsWiki 2019) and is the largest of all Terebrantian genera. The only other Thysanopteran genera comparable in size are the phlaeothripids Haplothrips and Liothrips. Species of Thrips can be found in flowers and on leaves of a wide variety of plants from grasses to trees. Most of them are beneficial pollinators (Garcia-Fayos Goldarazena 2008; Eliyahu et al. 2015), while others are pests and cause significant economic damage (Mound Marullo 1996). Some of them are polyphagous and widespread, while others are rarely seen and restricted to one species of plant (Palmer 1992).

A suite of models to support the quantitative assessment of spread in pest risk analysis.

Pest Risk Analyses (PRAs) are conducted worldwide to decide whether and how exotic plant pests should be regulated to prevent invasion. There is an increasing demand for science-based risk mapping in PRA. Spread plays a key role in determining the potential distribution of pests, but there is no suitable spread modelling tool available for pest risk analysts. Existing models are species specific, biologically and technically complex, and data hungry. Here we present a set of four simple and generic spread models that can be parameterised with limited data. Simulations with these models generate maps of the potential expansion of an invasive species at continental scale. The models have one to three biological parameters. They differ in whether they treat spatial processes implicitly or explicitly, and in whether they consider pest density or pest presence/absence only. The four models represent four complementary perspectives on the process of invasion and, because they have different initial conditions, they can be considered as alternative scenarios. All models take into account habitat distribution and climate. We present an application of each of the four models to the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, using historic data on its spread in Europe. Further tests as proof of concept were conducted with a broad range of taxa (insects, nematodes, plants, and plant pathogens). Pest risk analysts, the intended model users, found the model outputs to be generally credible and useful. The estimation of parameters from data requires insights into population dynamics theory, and this requires guidance. If used appropriately, these generic spread models provide a transparent and objective tool for evaluating the potential spread of pests in PRAs. Further work is needed to validate models, build familiarity in the user community and create a database of species parameters to help realize their potential in PRA practice.

[From emergency services to neurosurgical intensive care, the role of the nurse in neurosurgery]. / Des urgences à la réanimation neurochirurgicale, le rôle de l'infirmière en neurochirurgie.

Treating a patient with a head injury requires a full general assessment, a rigorous evaluation of the severity of the trauma and the prevention of brain insults of systemic origin. Monitoring by the nurse is essential and determines the carrying out of additional tests. She must look out for neurological deterioration and prepare the patient and his or her family for potential sequelae.

The optional VenaTech(™) Convertible (™) vena cava filter: experimental study in sheep.

PURPOSE: Retrieval of optional caval filters may be impaired by filter tilting, migration, fracture, or embedding in the IVC wall. The goal of this experimental study was to evaluate a new optional filter, convertible by unlocking and removing the filter head. METHODS: Forty-nine Pre-Alp sheep (average weight, 55 kg) were anesthetized. IVC was catheterized via the right femoral vein (n = 46) or via the internal jugular vein (n = 3) with a 12.9-F sheath. VenaTech(™) Convertible(™) IVC filters were inserted as either permanent filters (n = 14) or as filters to be converted. Conversion was immediately after deployment (n = 19) or delayed after 1, 3, or 6 months (n = 20). Filter delivery, deployment, and conversion with measurement of migration and tilting were evaluated by cavography. Incorporation of the filter's stabilizers and arms in the IVC wall was assessed by gross anatomy. RESULTS: Delivery system insertion, filter release, and immediate conversion were successful in all cases. Delayed conversion was completed in all but one sheep, due to insufficient snare tension. Complimentary balloon-catheter inflation was required in 12 of 20 delayed conversions to achieve filter opening. In all 49 sheep, no thrombosis, migration, or significant tilting occurred. Within 4 weeks of conversion, the filter's stabilizers and arms were incorporated into the IVC wall. Upon removal, the filter head was free of intimal growth. CONCLUSIONS: The VenaTech(™) Convertible(™) optional IVC filter was successfully implanted in all sheep with no migration or tilting. Conversion at various dates by filter head removal was feasible in all but one case.

Effects of the training dataset characteristics on the performance of nine species distribution models: application to Diabrotica virgifera virgifera.

Many distribution models developed to predict the presence/absence of invasive alien species need to be fitted to a training dataset before practical use. The training dataset is characterized by the number of recorded presences/absences and by their geographical locations. The aim of this paper is to study the effect of the training dataset characteristics on model performance and to compare the relative importance of three factors influencing model predictive capability; size of training dataset, stage of the biological invasion, and choice of input variables. Nine models were assessed for their ability to predict the distribution of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, a major pest of corn in North America that has recently invaded Europe. Twenty-six training datasets of various sizes (from 10 to 428 presence records) corresponding to two different stages of invasion (1955 and 1980) and three sets of input bioclimatic variables (19 variables, six variables selected using information on insect biology, and three linear combinations of 19 variables derived from Principal Component Analysis) were considered. The models were fitted to each training dataset in turn and their performance was assessed using independent data from North America and Europe. The models were ranked according to the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve and the likelihood ratio. Model performance was highly sensitive to the geographical area used for calibration; most of the models performed poorly when fitted to a restricted area corresponding to an early stage of the invasion. Our results also showed that Principal Component Analysis was useful in reducing the number of model input variables for the models that performed poorly with 19 input variables. DOMAIN, Environmental Distance, MAXENT, and Envelope Score were the most accurate models but all the models tested in this study led to a substantial rate of mis-classification.

The VenaTech LP permanent caval filter: effectiveness and safety in the prevention of pulmonary embolism--a European multicenter study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate (i) the appropriateness, safety, and patient outcomes after placement of the VenaTech LP caval filter and (ii) the success of filter insertion through various venous access routes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An open multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in 12 European centers, including an initial part limited to four centers. Patients with common indications were eligible for inclusion after approval by an independent ethics committee. Over a 42-month period, 106 patients (46 men [43.4%], 60 women [56.6%]), 72.2 years +/- 13.3 of age (range, 37-97 y), with poor prognoses were included. Patients were examined 2-5 days after the procedure, then at 30 days +/- 5 and 90 days +/- 15 for clinical follow-up and filter assessment. Evaluation criteria were based on occurrence of pulmonary embolism (PE), adverse events, death, filter position, and caval patency. Data were available in 101 case report forms at days 2-5, in 75 at day 30 +/- 5, and in 60 at day 90 +/- 15. Two patients (1.9%) were lost to follow-up. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate was 20.8%. PE was present in 71 patients (67.0%). History of venous thromboembolic disease (VTED) was noted in 32 patients (30.2%), and recently diagnosed VTED was present in 101 patients (95.3%). Partial caval thrombosis was present before the procedure. Filter tilting of 10-45 degrees was seen in 3.9% of cases at days 2-5, 4.3% of cases at day 30 +/- 5, and 1.9% of cases at day 90 +/- 15. Follow-up evidenced neither clinical signs of PE nor significant device-related events. CONCLUSIONS: In a prospective patient cohort with a projected 3-month mortality rate of nearly 21.0% as a result of severe prognoses, the success of insertion via various venous access routes and the appropriateness and safety of the VenaTech LP caval filter were assessed. Findings at 90-day follow-up were free of symptomatic PE and device-related adverse effects.

Long-duration temporary vena cava filter: a prospective 104-case multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Nonpermanent caval filters are placed in critical thromboembolic situations in which anticoagulation therapy is transiently contraindicated, ineffective, or the source of complications. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of a second-generation long-duration temporary caval filter in these situations and compare its utility with that of other temporary filters. METHODS: This prospective study, including patients who underwent temporary caval filtration with the Tempofilter II, was conducted in nine European centers. All filters were successfully implanted. The filter was removed when the indication for caval filtration ceased. RESULTS: A total of 104 filters were inserted in 103 patients with an average age of 60 +/- 15.5 years (range, 22-92 years). Most patients (85%) had pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis, or both. The main indications for caval filter placement were complications of or contraindications to anticoagulation therapy (n = 85; 82.5%) or for ineffectiveness of anticoagulation therapy (n = 12; 11.7%). The average duration of implantation was 29.5 +/- 14.0 days (range, 2-86 days). One filter migrated in the right atrium, followed by pulmonary embolism. No other case of pulmonary embolism or of infectious or mechanical complications related to the filter was observed. Thrombus was trapped within the filter in 24 cases (23.3%). All filters but one were removed, regardless of whether thrombus had been trapped. Retrieval was always successful after implantation periods up to 12 weeks. In 16 cases (15.5%), the filter was replaced by a permanent filter. CONCLUSIONS: The Tempofilter II is safe, effective, and useful in critical thromboembolic situations. It offers a valuable alternative to retrievable optional filters.

Multiple transatlantic introductions of the western corn rootworm.

The invasion of Europe by the western corn rootworm, North America's most destructive corn pest, is ongoing and represents a serious threat to European agriculture. Because this pest was initially introduced in Central Europe, it was believed that subsequent outbreaks in Western Europe originated from this area. Using model-based Bayesian analyses of the genetic variability of the western corn rootworm, we demonstrate that this belief is false: There have been at least three independent introductions from North America during the past two decades. This result raises questions about changing circumstances that have enabled a sudden burst of transatlantic introductions.

Can CT replace bronchoscopy in the detection of the site and cause of bleeding in patients with large or massive hemoptysis?

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the capacity of chest radiography and CT to determine the cause and site of bleeding in patients with either large or massive hemoptysis compared with bronchoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the chest radiographs, CT scans, and bronchoscopic findings in 80 patients with either large or massive hemoptysis who were admitted to our intensive care unit between January 1995 and June 1999. RESULTS: Findings on chest radiography were normal in only 13% of patients, of whom 70% had bronchiectasis. The chest radiographs revealed the site of bleeding in 46% of the patients and the cause in 35%, most of whom had tuberculosis or tumors. CT was more efficient than bronchoscopy for identifying the cause of bleeding (77% vs 8%, respectively; p < 0.001), whereas the two methods were comparable for identifying the site of bleeding (70% vs 73%, respectively; p = not significant). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that CT could replace bronchoscopy as the first-line procedure for screening patients with large and those with massive hemoptysis. However, these results must be confirmed in a prospective multicenter study.