Erratum: Fast Domain Wall Motion Governed by Topology and Œrsted Fields in Cylindrical Magnetic Nanowires [Phys. Rev. Lett. 123, 217201 (2019)].

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.123.217201.

Fast Domain Wall Motion Governed by Topology and Œrsted Fields in Cylindrical Magnetic Nanowires.

While the usual approach to tailor the behavior of condensed matter and nanosized systems is the choice of material or finite-size or interfacial effects, topology alone may be the key. In the context of the motion of magnetic domain walls (DWs), known to suffer from dynamic instabilities with low mobilities, we report unprecedented velocities >600 m/s for DWs driven by spin-transfer torques in cylindrical nanowires made of a standard ferromagnetic material. The reason is the robust stabilization of a DW type with a specific topology by the Œrsted field associated with the current. This opens the route to the realization of predicted new physics, such as the strong coupling of DWs with spin waves above >600 m/s.

Short-term Effects of Diet and Activity Changes on Inflammation and Insulin Resistance.

The present study focused on rapid responses of inflammation markers and insulin resistance to dietary restriction and exercise in inactive patients. 13 obese women were included during a 5-day time frame during which decreases in food intake (-1 378±298 kcal) were associated with 2 exercise sessions (80 and 40 min). Circulating inflammatory biomarkers, insulin resistance index and muscle soreness were measured in fasted conditions. Fasting plasma concentrations of CRP and insulin resistance index decreased over the period (respectively, p=0.02 and p=0.01), concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α appeared unchanged (p>0.05). Changes in IL-6 (enhanced) and TNF-α (reduced) concentrations following the prolonged exercise differed compared to days with 40 min exercise and days without exercise (p<0.05). Muscle soreness appeared higher after the 80 min than after the 40-min exercise (p=0.01), and were related with IL-6 and CRP concentration changes. A 5-day period combining exercise and diet reduced the insulin-resistance index and the CRP fasting concentrations. The 80-min exercise enhanced IL-6 and lowered TNF-α concentration changes while days without exercise unaffected these cytokines. These exercise effects on cytokines may have benefited to the insulin resistance index. The duration and number of the exercise sessions appeared sufficient for inactive subjects to initiate health benefits without inducing negative effects on inflammation and muscle soreness.

Polymorphisms in EGFR and IL28B are associated with spontaneous clearance in an HCV-infected Iranian population.

Although most hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected individuals develop chronic infection, about 25% of them are able to clear the virus spontaneously without any therapeutic intervention. The aim of the present study was to identify genes associated with spontaneous HCV clearance in a population of Iranian patients. We genotyped 110 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 59 selected--candidate--genes in a cohort of 107 HCV-infected participants who spontaneously cleared the infection and 176 participants whose infection persisted. Three out of the 110 SNPs were found to be associated with HCV outcome (P-values<0.03). rs11506105 in EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor gene), and rs11881222 and rs12979860 in IL28B (interferon-λ3 gene). Multivariate logistic regression of the three markers showed that the A/A genotypes in both rs11506105 (EFGR) and rs11881222 (IL28B), and the C/C genotype in rs12979860 (IL28B) are associated with HCV clearance (recessive model: odds ratio (OR)=2.06, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.09-3.88, P=0.025; OR=2.09, 95% CI=1.23-3.60, P=0.007; and OR=1.95, 95% CI=1.15-3.35, P=0.014 for rs11506105, rs12979860 and rs11881222, respectively). In conclusion, EGFR and IL28B SNPs are strong independent predictive markers of spontaneous viral clearance.

Onset of exercise and diet program in obese women: metabolic and anorexigenic responses related to weight loss and physical capacities.

Perturbations of energy balance induce compensatory processes that may alter expected weight loss. In obese patients, our aim was to investigate the relationships that occurred between fasting plasma concentrations of anorexigenic peptides and metabolic parameters, appetite, physical capacity, and weight loss in the 5 first days of a program associating exercise and caloric reduction. Thirteen obese women were monitored from day 1 to day 5 with 2 exercise sessions in day 2 and day 4. We measured, in a fasted state, changes in body weight, hunger ratings, and plasma concentrations of fatty acids, triglycerides, leptin, insulin, amylin, peptide YY, and insulin-resistance index. Physical performance was assessed by a 6-min walking test. The program resulted in significantly reduced body weight (0.75±0.4 kg; p=0.001), of plasma concentrations of triglycerides, insulin, amylin, peptide YY, and the insulin-resistance index, and also increased fatty acids (p<0.05). Hunger ratings were increased (p<0.05). Program-induced changes in fatty acids, leptin, and insulin concentrations were related to physical performance (r(2)=0.45, 0.59, and 0.52; p<0.05, respectively) and to weight loss (r(2)=0.65, 0.57, 0.55; p<0.05, respectively). Five days of diet and exercise induced weight loss, improved lipid profile, and decreased insulin resistance while hunger ratings increased. Subjects with higher physical capacity lost more weight, presented higher increases in fatty acids and lower changes of leptin and insulin concentrations suggesting a better metabolic flexibility. To reduce the compensatory responses that can occur with energy imbalances, our study supports to account for individual activity level before prescribing weight-loss program associating diet and exercise.

Rugby morphologies: "bigger and taller", reflects an early directional selection.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to investigate the changes over time in anthropometric parameters of young and adult rugby players in France. METHODS: Age, mass and height were collected for 2051 French elite rugby players participating in the championship during the 1988-1989 and the 2008-2009 seasons. The same variables were collected for the best 145 juniors (under 21 years) and 448 U15 (under 15 years) French players for these seasons. Changes in anthropometric parameters were compared according to age, category (back vs. forwards) and season. RESULTS: Over 20 years, adult French rugby backs and forwards have become heavier by 12 kg and 12.3 kg, taller by 5.4 cm and 2.9 cm, respectively. Junior players also became taller and heavier, 6 cm and 9.9 kg for backs and 4.4 cm and 11.1 kg for forwards. U15 backs have gained 5.1 cm and 6.5 kg, and forwards earned 4.7 cm and 4.7 kg. CONCLUSION: Rugby players have become taller and heavier. Their current morphology is the product of a long process of competition and selection. This study demonstrates that this selection of the "large sizes" is already present at a young age.

Cutoff value for predicting success in triathlon mixed team relay.

Introduction: The Mixed-Team-Relay (MTR) triathlon is an original race format present on the international scene since 2009, which became an Olympic event at the Tokyo 2020 Games. The aim of this study was to define the probabilities of reaching a victory, a podium, or a finalist rank in a relay triathlon, according to the position of any of the four relayers (Women/Men/Women/Men) during each of the four segments (leg) of the race. Methods: All MTR results from the World Series, Continental Championships, World Championships from 2009 to 2021 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics have been collected. We calculated the set of probability frequencies of reaching a given final state, according to any transient state during the race. All results are compared with a V' Cramer method. Results: The frequency of winning is similar at the end of Leg 1 for TOP1 (first position) and TOP2-3 (second and third positions). Then, a difference in the winning-associated frequencies is first observed after the Bike stage of Leg 2, where 47% of TOP1 athletes will win, vs 13% of the TOP2-3. Discussion: This difference continually increases until the end of the race. Legs 2 and 3 are preponderant on the outcome of the race, the position obtained by each triathlete, especially in swimming and cycling, greatly influences the final performance of the team. Leg 1 allows to maintain contact with the head of the race, while Leg 4 sets in stone the position obtained by the rest of the team.

Similar slow down in running speed progression in species under human pressure.

Running speed in animals depends on both genetic and environmental conditions. Maximal speeds were here analysed in horses, dogs and humans using data sets on the 10 best performers covering more than a century of races. This includes a variety of distances in humans (200-1500 m). Speed has been progressing fast in the three species, and this has been followed by a plateau. Based on a Gompertz model, the current best performances reach 97.4% of maximal velocity in greyhounds to 100.3 in humans. Further analysis based on a subset of individuals and using an 'animal model' shows that running speed is heritable in horses (h(2) = 0.438, P = 0.01) and almost so in dogs (h(2) = 0.183, P = 0.08), suggesting the involvement of genetic factors. Speed progression in humans is more likely due to an enlarged population of runners, associated with improved training practices. The analysis of a data subset (40 last years in 800 and 1500 m) further showed that East Africans have strikingly improved their speed, now reaching the upper part of the human distribution, whereas that of Nordic runners stagnated in the 800 m and even declined in the 1500 m. Although speed progression in dogs and horses on one side and humans on the other has not been affected by the same genetic/environmental balance of forces, it is likely that further progress will be extremely limited.

Dimensionality crossover in magnetism: from domain walls (2D) to vortices (1D).

Dimensionality crossover is a classical topic in physics. Surprisingly, it has not been searched in micromagnetism, which deals with objects such as domain walls (2D) and vortices (1D). We predict by simulation a second-order transition between these two objects, with the wall length as the Landau parameter. This was confirmed experimentally based on micron-sized flux-closure dots.

Contacting individual Fe(110) dots in a single electron-beam lithography step.

We report on a new approach, entirely based on an electron-beam lithography technique, to contact electrically, in a four-probe scheme, single nanostructures obtained by self-assembly. In our procedure, nanostructures of interest are located and contacted in the same fabrication step. This technique has been developed to study the field-induced reversal of an internal component of an asymmetric Bloch domain wall observed in elongated structures such as Fe(110) dots. We have focused on the control, using an external magnetic field, of the magnetization orientation within Néel caps that terminate the domain wall at both interfaces. Preliminary magneto-transport measurements are discussed demonstrating that single Fe(110) dots have been contacted.

Effects of a 6-Week Period of Polarized or Threshold Training on Performance and Fatigue in Elite Swimmers.

PURPOSE: To quantify the impact of a polarized distribution of training intensity on performance and fatigue in elite swimmers. METHODS: Twenty-two elite junior swimmers (12 males, age = 17 [3] y, and 10 females, age = 17 [3] y) participated in a crossover intervention study over 28 wk involving 2- × 6-wk training periods separated by 6 wk. Swimmers were randomly assigned to a training group for the first period: polarized (81% in zone 1, blood lactate concentration, [La]b ≤ 2 mmol·L-1; 4% in zone 2, 2 mmol·L-1 < [La]b ≤ 4 mmol·L-1; and 15% in zone 3, [La]b > 4 mmol·L-1) or threshold (65%/25%/10%). Before and after each period, they performed a 100-m maximal swimming test to determine performance, maximal [La]b, and oxygen consumption and an incremental swimming test to determine speed corresponding to [La]b = 4 mmol·L-1 (V4 mmol·L-1). Self-reported indices of well-being were collected with a daily questionnaire. RESULTS: Polarized training elicited small to moderately greater improvement than threshold training on 100-m performance (within-group change ± 90% confidence interval: 0.97% ± 1.02% vs 0.09% ± 0.94%, respectively) with less fatigue and better quality of recovery. There was no substantial gender effect. No clear differences were observed in physiological adaptations between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In elite junior swimmers, a 6-wk period of polarized training induced small improvements in 100-m time-trial performance and, in combination with less perceived fatigue, forms a viable option for coaches preparing such cohorts of swimmers for competition.

Modeling magnetic-field-induced domain wall propagation in modulated-diameter cylindrical nanowires.

Domain wall propagation in modulated-diameter cylindrical nanowires is a key phenomenon to be studied with a view to designing three-dimensional magnetic memory devices. This paper presents a theoretical study of transverse domain wall behavior under the influence of a magnetic field within a cylindrical nanowire with diameter modulations. In particular, domain wall pinning close to the diameter modulation was quantified, both numerically, using finite element micromagnetic simulations, and analytically. Qualitative analytical model for gently sloping modulations resulted in a simple scaling law which may be useful to guide nanowire design when analyzing experiments. It shows that the domain wall depinning field value is proportional to the modulation slope.

[High resolution MRI of carotid atherosclerosis: looking beyond the arterial lumen]. / IRM haute résolution de l'athérosclérose carotidienne: au-delà de la lumière artérielle.

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, atherosclerosis remains the second cause of death in the world. Due to technical advances, high resolution MRI (HR-MRI) allows depiction of the wall of cervical arteries, especially carotid atherosclerosis. HR-MRI allows visualization of the different components of atherosclerosis: necrotic lipid core, intraplaque hemorrhage, calcifications and fibrous cap. Global plaque volume as well as the volumes of individual plaque components can be calculated. Atherosclerotic plaque structure analysis, along with stenosis measurement, contribute to the stratification of the stroke risk. HR-MRI may also be used to assess treatment efficacy aimed at stabilizing or reducing plaque progression. Beyond the arterial lumen, direct evaluation of vessel wall should modify the management of atherosclerosis in the years to come.

The effects of Platelet-rich Plasma on healing of partial thickness burns in a porcine model.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) derived from autologous peripheral blood is rich in platelets that release growth factors and cytokines. We determined the effects of topically applied autologous PRP in a partial thickness porcine burn model. Partial thickness burns were created on the backs and flanks of six domestic pigs (24 burns each) using an aluminium bar preheated to 80° C for 20 seconds. After removing the necrotic epidermis, the burns were randomly treated with a topical antibiotic ointment or a single (day 2), double (days 2 and 7), or triple (days 2, 7, and 14) topical application of PRP that was prepared freshly before application. Periodic imaging and full thickness biopsies were conducted to monitor healing over 28 days. The percentage wound reepithelialization at days 11, 14, 18 and 21 did not differ significantly among the groups. By day 28 all wounds were completely (>95%) reepithelialized, and there were no differences among the groups. Time to complete healing (presented as mean, [SD]) did not differ among the groups (antibiotics, 17.1 [3.5]; single PRP, 17.6 [4.0]; double PRP, 18.4 [3.9]; and triple PRP, 17.7 [3.3] days; ANOVA P=0.43). Scar depth (presented as mean, [SD]) in mm at day 28 by treatment group was: antibiotic 5.0 [1.0], single PRP 5.5 [1.1], double PRP 5.4 [1.1], and triple PRP 5.5 [0.6], ANOVA P=0.026. We conclude that PRP results in similar rates of reepithelialization and scar depth to standard topical antibiotics in a partial thickness porcine burn model.

Le plasma riche en plaquettes (PRP), dérivé du sang autologue, permet le relargage de facteurs de croissance et de cytokines. Nous avons étudié l'effet de PRP appliqué localement sur un modèle de brûlure intermédiaire chez le porc. Cette brûlure du dos et des flancs était réalisée au moyen de l'application pendant 20 s d'aluminium chauffé à 80°C sur 4 groupes de 6 porcs. Après ablation de l'escarre, les animaux étaient tirés au sort pour être traités par topique antibiotique, 1 (J2), 2 (J2 et J7) ou 3 (J2, J7, J4) application locale de PRP préparé juste avant utilisation. Des photos et des biopsies ont été réalisées régulièrement pendant 28 j afin de surveiller la cicatrisation. Les pourcentages de surface cicatrisée à J11, J14, J18 et J21 étaient similaires dans tous les groupes. La cicatrisation était quasi complète (> 95%) à J28, dans tous les groupes. Le délai jusqu'à cicatrisation complète n'était pas différent dans les groupes (ANOVA, p=0,43) : Contrôle 17,1 +/- 3,5 ; PRP J2 17,6 +/- 4 ; PRP J2 et J7 18,4 +/- 3,9 ; PRP J4, J7 et J14 17,7 +/- 3,3 jours. La profondeur de la cicatrice, bien que statistiquement significative (ANOVA p = 0,026 ) : 5 +/- 1 (contrôle) ; 5,5 +/- 1,1 (1 PRP) ; 5,4 +/- 1,1 (2 PRP) ; 5,5 +/- 0,6 (3 PRP) mm n'est pas considérée comme cliniquement significative. PRP donne des résultats équivalents aux topiques antibiotiques sur une brûlure intermédiaire du porc.

Analysis of the magnetic properties of Ce3Pt23Si11: orthorhombic crystal field and mean-field approximation.

We present here a quantitative analysis of the ground state and magnetic properties of Ce3Pt23Si11, based on a crystalline electric field description within the mean-field approximation. In this face-centered cubic compound, the point group symmetry at the Ce site is orthorhombic. One main difficulty in this low symmetry case is that the CEF potential for Ce3+ ions is determined by five independent parameters, while only two magnetic excitations are observed by inelastic neutron scattering. Moreover the anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility of the Ce ion, that permits an independent determination of the second-order CEF parameters is hidden by the cubic symmetry of the compound. A specific procedure is developed for this purpose that combines genetic algorithms and more conventional optimization methods. A set of CEF parameters is found that best reproduces the different experimental observations in both the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic phases of Ce3Pt23Si11. The analysis accounts for two seemingly contradictory properties: a strong local anisotropy that aligns the moment along a fourfold axis and a rather weak anisotropy of the bulk magnetization with an easy threefold magnetization axis. Ce3Pt23Si11 is shown to be a model system where single site anisotropies compete within a crystal structure of overall high symmetry.

Calibration of the low-energy channel Thomson parabola of the LMJ-PETAL diagnostic SEPAGE with protons and carbon ions.

The SEPAGE diagnostic will detect charged particles (electrons, protons, and ions) accelerated in the interaction of the PETAL (PETawatt Aquitaine Laser) laser with its targets on the LMJ (Laser MegaJoule)-PETAL laser facility. SEPAGE will be equipped with a proton-radiography front detector and two Thomson parabolas (TP), corresponding to different ranges of the particle energy spectra: Above 0.1 MeV for electrons and protons in the low-energy channel, with a separation capability between protons and 12C6+ up to 20 MeV proton energy and above 8 MeV for the high-energy channel, with a separation capability between protons and 12C6+ up to 200 MeV proton kinetic energy. This paper presents the calibration of the SEPAGE's low-energy channel TP at the Tandem facility of Orsay (France) with proton beams between 3 and 22 MeV and carbon-ion beams from 5.8 to 84 MeV. The magnetic and electric fields' integrals were determined with an accuracy of 10-3 by combining the deflections measured at different energies with different target thicknesses and materials, providing different in-target energy losses of the beam particles and hence different detected energies for given beam energies.

Bluetongue virus detection by two real-time RT-qPCRs targeting two different genomic segments.

The detection of the bluetongue virus (BTV) by conventional methods is especially difficult and labour-intensive. Molecular diagnosis is also complex because of the high genetic diversity between and within the 24 serotypes of BTV. In the present study, two laboratories joined forces to develop and validate two new RT-qPCRs detecting and amplifying BTV segments 1 and 5. The 2 assays detect strains from all 24 serotypes. They both have a detection limit of 0.01 ECE50 and all 114 samples from BTV-free goats, sheep and cattle were negative. The two assays resulted in similar C(t) values when testing biological samples collected in sheep infected experimentally with a field strain of BTV from the Mediterranean basin. On average, the C(t) values obtained with the 2 methods applied to the 24 serotypes were not significantly different from each other, but some moderate to high differences were seen with a few strains. Therefore these two methods are complementary and could be used in parallel to confirm the diagnosis of a possible new introduction of BTV. An RT-qPCR amplifying a fragment of the beta-actin mRNA was also developed and validated as internal control for the bluetongue specific assays. The three assays described allow a reliable and rapid detection of BTV.

Uncertainty of measurement for competitive and indirect ELISAs.

A method for the estimation of the uncertainty of measurements for Gaussian outcomes of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is described using competitive and indirect foot and mouth disease (FMD) ELISAs. Assay repeatability was determined by random effects analysis of variance, and the normality of the residuals was checked. The standard errors of the individual predicted values were transformed into confidence intervals around the corresponding observed values and further transformed into probabilities of being above/below a cut-off. Logistic regression models were subsequently used to interpolate probability values for the whole range of possible assay values. The uncertainty of measurement of a test result was finally defined as the probability of not observing the same qualitative test result when retesting the same sample. For the competitive ELISA any sample with a percent inhibition 4% above the cut-off value had an uncertainty level (probability of a negative result in the case of retest) below 5%. In the indirect ELISA with a cut-off OD of 0.1, the uncertainty was below 5% for any sample with a normalised OD value above 0.22.

[Membranous microparticles and respiratory disease]. / Microparticules membranaires et maladies respiratoires.

Microparticles (MP) are plasmic membrane fragments released from cells after physiological stimulation or stress conditions like inflammation or infection. Their production is correlated to the rate of cell apoptosis. All types of cells can produce MP but they are produced mainly by platelets, endothelial cells, and leukocytes. They carry many bio-active molecules on their surface, specific to the parental cell, giving them the ability to be biomarkers and bio-effectors. MP are present in circulating blood, tissues and many biological fluids. Circulating MP levels can change during the course of many diseases. They have been the subject of many studies in the fields of cardiovascular disease and oncology. In the lungs, they are present in circulating blood and in the airways. They seem to have a role in pulmonary homeostasis in physiological situations and also in the expression of several disease processes. In this review of the literature, we were interested in the quantitative and qualitative variations in MP and their impact in airway diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension.

Regional specificity of peak hyperemic response in patients with congestive heart failure: correlation with peak aerobic capacity.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare peak reactive hyperemic blood flows in the forearm and calf of patients with congestive heart failure and in age- and gender-matched normal subjects. In addition, we attempted to correlate peak oxygen consumption with forearm and calf peak reactive hyperemic flows in the patients with heart failure. BACKGROUND: Disparate results have been reported regarding forearm peak reactive hyperemia in patients with congestive heart failure. Because training significantly increases peak reactive hyperemic flow in normal subjects, we hypothesized that in patients with congestive heart failure who curtail walking because of exertional symptoms, calf peak reactive hyperemic flow would be preferentially attenuated and that impairment of calf vasculature may correlate with peak oxygen consumption. METHODS: Forearm and calf blood flows were measured by venous occlusive plethysmography at rest and after 5 min of arterial occlusion in 46 patients with congestive heart failure and 7 age- and gender-matched normal subjects. Peak oxygen consumption was measured during graded exercise on a bicycle ergometer. RESULTS: Calf peak reactive hyperemic flow was lower in patients with congestive heart failure than in normal subjects (22 +/- 1 vs. 32.5 +/- 3.5 ml/min per 100 ml, p < 0.001), whereas forearm peak reactive hyperemic flows were similar in the two groups. Calf peak reactive hyperemic flow was linearly related to peak oxygen consumption (r = 0.58, p < 0.0001), but forearm peak reactive hyperemic flow was not. Forearm and calf peak reactive hyperemic flows were not related at rest or after 5 min of arterial occlusion in the patients with heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: Calf peak reactive hyperemic flow is reduced in patients with congestive heart failure, whereas forearm peak reactive hyperemic flow is identical to that of age- and gender-matched normal subjects. Calf peak reactive hyperemic flow is linearly related to peak oxygen consumption in patients with congestive heart failure, but forearm peak reactive hyperemic flow is not.