Performance of a sand filter in removal of micro-algae from seawater in aquaculture production systems.

In this study, a sand filter was used to remove micro-algae from seawater feeding aquaculture ponds. A lab-scale sand filter was used to filter 30,000 cells/mL of Heterocapsa triquetra suspension, a non-toxic micro-alga that has morphological and dimensional (15-20 microm) similarities with Alexandrium sp., one of the smallest toxic micro-algae in seawater. Removal efficiency and capture mechanisms for a fixed superficial velocity (3.5 m/h) were evaluated in relation to size distribution and mean diameter of the sand. Various sands (average diameter ranging between 200 microm and 600 microm) were characterized and used as porous media. The structural parameters of the fixed beds were evaluated for each medium using experimental measurements of pressure drop as a function of superficial velocity over a range of Reynolds numbers covering Darcy's regime and the inertial regime. For a filtration cycle of six hours, the best efficiency (E = 90%) was obtained with the following sand characteristics: sieved sand with a range of grain diameter of 100 and 300 microm and a mean grain diameter equal to 256 microm. Results obtained show the influence of the size distribution of sand on the quality of retention of the micro-algae studied.

Quantitative X-ray fluorescence analysis of an Egyptian faience pendant and comparison with PIXE.

The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique is a common choice in the archaeometric field for in situ investigations with portable instruments. This work shows that XRF portable systems can be used for quantitative analyses using appropriate software, obtaining a similar accuracy to that provided with other techniques such as particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), as shown for an Egyptian faience pendant and for two glass standards.

Characterization of illuminated manuscripts by laboratory-made portable XRD and micro-XRD systems.

Illuminated Arabic manuscripts have been studied, employing two laboratory-made X-ray diffraction (XRD) systems developed recently in the C2RMF laboratory. The validity of the micro-XRD and XRD portable systems for the study of this type of artworks has been demonstrated. A common observation in all the analyses is the presence of calcite and rutile; also, hematite, goethite, cinnabar, brass, anatase and barite were detected in the various colours. Differences between the results obtained by both techniques due to acquisition mode are discussed. In addition, other techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and micro-Raman were used for the complete characterization of the manuscripts.

Universal scattering behavior of coassembled nanoparticle-polymer clusters.

Water-soluble clusters made from 7-nm inorganic nanoparticles have been investigated by small-angle neutron scattering. The internal structure factor of the clusters was derived and exhibited a universal behavior as evidenced by a correlation hole at intermediate wave vectors. Reverse Monte Carlo calculations were performed to adjust the data and provided an accurate description of the clusters in terms of interparticle distance and volume fraction. Additional parameters influencing the microstructure were also investigated, including the nature and thickness of the nanoparticle adlayer.

Sequential feeding programs for broiler chickens: twenty-four- and forty-eight-hour cycles.

Sequential feeding programs (Seq) of 2 feeds, 1 protein rich-energy poor and 1 energy rich-protein poor, during the same day or every other day were compared with a control complete diet for male broiler growth and body composition from 15 d to market weight. In experiment 1, BW gain and breast meat yield were significantly lower than those of controls for 24-h-cycle Seq with extreme protein content difference between the 2 feeds. BW gain and breast meat yield were higher than those of controls when feeds with moderate differences [feed moderately rich in protein (PM) = 26% CP; feed moderately rich in energy (EM) = 16% CP] were fed. Feeding periods that were half as long but changed twice as frequently gave less favorable results. In experiment 2, effects of allowing access to feed for different lengths of time were measured. The treatments in a 24-h cycle were a constant control diet, 50% PM-50% EM, 40% PM-60% EM, or 80% PM-20% EM decreasing to 40% PM-60% EM. Chickens fed 40% PM-60% EM had a 6% lower BW gain and a 3% higher feed/gain ratio and were fatter than those from other treatments. In experiment 3, male chickens fed a 48-h-cycle Seq of EM and PM every other day had the same BW gain, feed intake, and feed/gain ratio as controls. In experiment 4, five 48-h-cycle Seq with varying differences of energy and protein contents between EM and PM gave similar or slight reduction of performances compared with controls. A field trial with 8 flocks of broilers confirmed that feeding high and low protein feeds on alternate days resulted in performance similar to that from feeding a complete feed despite large day-to-day variations in lysine intake. Converse to shorter phases, Seq for 48-h cycles offers new opportunities for practical application and also for studies of short-term regulation of protein and lipid metabolism in chickens.

[Posterior circumflex artery: anatomical study. Technical inferences for circular capsolotomy in Sugioka's femoral osteotomy]. / Artère circonflexe postérieure: Etude anatomique. Déductions techniques pour la capsulotomie circulaire au cours de l'ostéotomie fémorale de Sugioka.

A description of the medial femoral circumflex artery in its extra-capsular course has been made from cadaveric dissections and operative findings. A method of exposure of the joint capsule followed by circumferential capsulotomy required for rotation transtrochanteric osteotomy of the femoral neck (Sugioka's operation) is described. This method, which is guided by precise anatomical landmarks, limits the risk of injury to the medial femoral circumflex artery. This study is a preliminary step in the consideration of the technical problems posed by this osteotomy, particularly the identification of the plane of bone section and internal fixation.

[Varus osteotomy in severe arthrosis of the hip--a long-term study (author's transl)]. / Résultats des ostéotomies de varisation pour coxarthroses évoluées: analyse statistique d'une série de 141 hanches revues à plus de 10 ans.

141 hips were reviewed more than 10 years after operation. The average follow-up was 13.5 years. A close relationship between the pre-operative functional state and the final result was established. The improvement was due to a decrease of pain in most cases, especially severe ones. Mobility and walking ability were little changed. Some worsening of the condition of patients was noted at about the 10th post-operative year. The aetiology, the degree of dysplasia, or degree of displacement of the osteotomy, had little influence on the final result. The degree of post-operative hip congruence was unimportant. The best results were seen in excentrated hips with severe radiological involvement. It is concluded that varus osteotomy is a valuable procedure in severe arthrosis of the hip. The hazards of the procedure are small, and it is indicated in young or middle-aged patients.

[Ligamentoplasty using the peroneus brevis in the treatment of chronic instabilities of the ankle. Long-term review]. / Ligamentoplastie au court péronier latéral dans le traitement des instabilités chroniques de la cheville. Révision à long terme.

Sixteen cases in which a ligamentoplasty using the peroneus brevis have been followed up for more than 8 years. In half of the cases dorsi-flexion of the ankle was diminished and the subtaloid joint was stiff. There was no anterior drawer sign of the talus. No case of progressive degenerative arthritis of the ankle joint was seen.

[Surgery in a plastic air-filled chamber. Current possibilities]. / La chirurgie en atmosphére stérile dans la "bulle". Possibilités actuelles

The authors have made an assessment of the use of an isolating operation chamber in 137 operations, primarily for the insertion of prostheses the the hip or knee, but also for the shoulder. The isolating chamber can be used equally well for hip, knee, shoulder or other surgery. The unit is made in the form of a plastic balloon, the air inside is sterile. Inflation is maintained by air passed through filters said to give complete sterility. The chamber is fitted with gloves to allow work to be done inside it. It is adherent to the skin of the patient and its wall is incised at the same time as the skin. The result is a very satisfactory isolation of the wound, eliminating faults in aseptic technique but requiring fresh sterilisation for each new procedure. Their assessment has shown that this enclosure can be used without any major problem of adaptation.

Ligamentoplasty using the peroneus brevis in the treatment of chronic instabilities of the ankle. Long-term review.

Sixteen cases in which a ligamentoplasty using the peroneus brevis were followed up for more than 8 years. In half of the cases, dorsiflexion of the ankle was diminished and the subtalar joint was stiff. There was no anterior drawer sign of the talus. No case of progressive degenerative arthritis of the ankle joint was seen.

First use of portable system coupling X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence for in-situ analysis of prehistoric rock art.

Study of prehistoric art is playing a major role in the knowledge of human evolution. Many scientific methods are involved in this investigation including chemical analysis of pigments present on artefacts or applied to cave walls. In the past decades, the characterization of coloured materials was carried on by taking small samples. This procedure had two main disadvantages: slight but existing damage of the paintings and limitation of the number of samples. Thanks to the advanced development of portable systems, in-situ analysis of pigment in cave can be now undertaken without fear for this fragile Cultural Heritage. For the first time, a portable system combining XRD and XRF was used in an underground and archaeological environment for prehistoric rock art studies. In-situ non-destructive analysis of black prehistoric drawings and determination of their composition and crystalline structure were successfully carried out. Original results on pigments used 13,000 years ago in the cave of Rouffignac (France) were obtained showing the use of two main manganese oxides: pyrolusite and romanechite. The capabilities of the portable XRD-XRF system have been demonstrated for the characterization of pigments as well as for the analysis of rock in a cave environment. This first in-situ experiment combining X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence open up new horizons and can fundamentally change our approach of rock art studies.

XRF, µ-XRD and µ-spectroscopic techniques for revealing the composition and structure of paint layers on polychrome sculptures after multiple restorations.

This paper presents the novel application of recently developed analytical techniques to the study of paint layers on sculptures that have been restored/repainted several times across centuries. Analyses were performed using portable XRF, µ-XRD and µ-Raman instruments. Other techniques, such as optical microscopy, SEM-EDX and µ-FTIR, were also used. Pigments and other materials including vermilion, minium, red lac, ivory black, lead white, barium white, zinc white (zincite), titanium white (rutile and anatase), lithopone, gold and brass were detected. Pigments from both ancient and modern times were found due to the different restorations/repaintings carried out. µ-Raman was very useful to characterise some pigments that were difficult to determine by µ-XRD. In some cases, pigments identification was only possible by combining results from the different analytical techniques used in this work. This work is the first article devoted to the study of sculpture cross-section samples using laboratory-made µ-XRD systems.