An understanding of falling bodies across schooling and experience based on the conceptual prevalence framework

In this article, we describe a study conducted online with 953 participants of varying levels of education and, when applicable, science/physics teaching experience. These participants were asked to solve a cognitive task in which many different pairs of objects were presented and to identify which, if any, would touch the ground first when dropped (in atmospheric or non-atmospheric environments). Recorded accuracies and response times allowed us to conduct an analysis based on the conceptual prevalence framework, which posits that the coexistence of conceptual and/or misconceptual resources can produce interference in response production. The results show that the influence of some of them decreases or, more surprisingly, increases with training. In fact, secondary and college physics teachers seem to cultivate some of them, and most likely have contributed to their spread. The implications for teaching and research are discussed.

High-precision cavity-enhanced spectroscopy for studying the H2-Ar collisions and interactions

Information about molecular collisions is encoded in the shapes of collision-perturbed molecular resonances. This connection between molecular interactions and line shapes is most clearly seen in simple systems, such as the molecular hydrogen perturbed by a noble gas atom. We study the H₂-Ar system by means of highly accurate absorption spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. On the one hand, we use the cavity-ring-down-spectroscopy technique to record the shapes of the S(1) 3-0 line of molecular hydrogen perturbed by argon. On the other hand, we simulate the shapes of this line using ab initio quantum-scattering calculations performed on our accurate H₂-Ar potential energy surface (PES). In order to validate the PES and the methodology of quantum-scattering calculations separately from the model of velocity-changing collisions, we measured the spectra in experimental conditions in which the influence of the latter is relatively minor. In these conditions, our theoretical collision-perturbed line shapes reproduce the raw experimental spectra at the percent level. However, the collisional shift, δ₀, differs from the experimental value by 20%. Compared to other line-shape parameters, collisional shift displays much higher sensitivity to various technical aspects of the computational methodology. We identify the contributors to this large error and find the inaccuracies of the PES to be the dominant factor. With regard to the quantum scattering methodology, we demonstrate that treating the centrifugal distortion in a simple, approximate manner is sufficient to obtain the percent-level accuracy of collisional spectra.

Pure rotational R(0) and R(1) lines of CO in Ar baths: experimental broadening, shifting and mixing parameters in a wide pressure range versus ab initio calculations

The results of a rigorous study of the two first pure rotational transitions of CO perturbed by Ar are presented. The experimental part is based on the use of three different spectrometers covering together the pressure range from 0.02 up to 1500 torr. The measurement results of collisional line shape parameters are supported by fully ab initio calculations, which are in remarkable agreement with retrieved data. A sub-percent uncertainty of line intensity measurements is achieved and the first firm evidence that the resonance spectrum of CO is observed on the continual pedestal is given. We analyze the results of our ab initio calculations on the basis of early analytical theories and demonstrate a good general applicability of the latter to the CO-Ar collisional system.

Rotational excitation of CO2 induced by He: New potential energy surface and scattering calculations

The CO2 molecule is of great interest for astrophysical studies since it can be found in a large variety of astrophysical media where it interacts with the dominant neutral species, such as He, H2, or H2O. The CO2–He collisional system was intensively studied over the last two decades. However, collisional data appear to be very sensitive to the potential energy surface (PES) quality. Thus, we provide, in this study, a new PES of the CO2–He van der Waals complex calculated with the coupled-cluster method and a complete basis set extrapolation in order to provide rotational rate coefficients that are as accurate as possible. The PES accuracy was tested through the calculations of bound state transition frequencies and pressure broadening coefficients that were compared to experimental data. An excellent agreement was globally found. Then, revised collisional data were provided for the 10–300 K temperature range. Rate coefficients were compared to previously computed ones and are found to be up to 50% greater than previously provided ones. These differences can induce non-negligible consequences for the modeling of CO2 abundance in astrophysical media.

Case Report of an Injectional Anthrax in France, 2012

(1) Background: Bacillus anthracis is a spore-forming, Gram-positive bacterium causing anthrax, a zoonosis affecting mainly livestock. When occasionally infecting humans, B. anthracis provokes three different clinical forms: cutaneous, digestive and inhalational anthrax. More recently, an injectional anthrax form has been described in intravenous drug users. (2) Case presentation: We report here the clinical and microbiological features, as well as the strain phylogenetic analysis, of the only injectional anthrax case observed in France so far. A 27-year-old patient presented a massive dermohypodermatitis with an extensive edema of the right arm, and the development of drug-resistant shocks. After three weeks in an intensive care unit, the patient recovered, but the microbiological identification of B. anthracis was achieved after a long delay. (3) Conclusions: Anthrax diagnostic may be difficult clinically and microbiologically. The phylogenetic analysis of the Bacillus anthracis strain PF1 confirmed its relatedness to the injectional anthrax European outbreak group-II.

Clinical evaluation of General Electric new Swiftscan solution in bone scintigraphy on NaI-camera: A head to head comparison with Siemens Symbia

PURPOSE

The General Electric (GE) Swiftscan solution combines a new Low Energy High Resolution and Sensitivity collimator (LEHRS) with image processing (Clarity 2D) and tomographic step and shoot continuous mode. The aim of this study was to compare clinical and physical performances of this new technology in bone scintigraphy.

METHODS

Physical phantom measurements were performed using GE LEHRS, GE Low Energy High Resolution (LEHR) and Siemens LEHR collimators. These measurements were associated with a prospective clinical study. Sixty-seven patients referred for bone scintigraphy were enrolled from February to July 2018. Each patient underwent two acquisitions consecutively on GE and Siemens gamma camera, using respectively Swiftscan solution and LEHR collimator.

RESULTS

On planar acquisitions, maximum sensitivity was 100 cts/MBq for Siemens LEHR. GE SwiftScan LEHRS and GE LEHR maximum sensitivity were respectively 9% and 22% lower. Using Clarity 2D, GE Swiftscan LEHRS spatial resolution was the best with 9.2 mm versus 10.1 mm and 10.6 mm for GE LEHR and Siemens LEHR collimators. In tomographic mode, the sensitivity of GE Swiftscan solution was superior to both LEHR systems (16% and 25% respectively for Siemens and GE). There was no significant difference in spatial resolution. In clinical use, signal was higher on Siemens system and noise was lower on GE Swiftscan solution. Contrast-to-noise ratios were not significantly different between the two systems. There was a significant image quality improvement with GE SwiftScan in planar images and in whole body scan. No significant difference in image quality was observed on SPECT images.

CONCLUSION

New GE SwiftScan collimator design improved sensitivity compared to "classical" GE LEHR collimator without compromising resolution. GE SwiftScan solution enhances planar image quality with a better Clarity 2D resolution recovery and noise treatment. In SPECT mode, GE SwiftScan solution improves volumetric sensitivity without significant impact on image quality, and could lead to time or dose reduction.

[Current state of compensation of on-duty and on-call urologists in France: a study from AFUF]

INTRODUCTION

The French Association of Urologists-in-training (AFUF) aimed to assess the current state of remunerations of on-call and on-duty residents, assistants and lecturers in urology in France.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data were collected from February to May 2013 through a questionnaire sent to all members of the AFUF (327 members). Remunerations were given in gross values.

RESULTS

Forty-three residents took part in the study, 16 assistants and 16 lecturers, representing 62 % of the whole centers (54 hospitals out of the 92 centers practicing urology in France). Most of responders were on security or operational on-call. Twenty hospitals were practicing multi-organ removal. Median remunerations of residents were about 59.51€ per on-call when moving at hospital for work and about 119.02€ per onsite duty. Assistants and lecturers were paid a flat fee rate for 37.5 % of them (140€ for assistants [with variability from 40 to 195€] and 130€ for lecturers [42.5-180]) or an hourly rate depending on the hours spent at hospital for the others (62.5 %): first, second move or move<3h were paid 100€ for assistants and 65€ for lecturers, 233.5€ and 236€ respectively for the third one or above 3h, 365€ and 473€ respectively above 8h. Multi-organ removals were paid a flat fee rate (60 %) or an hourly rate (40 %) as well. Beyond a threshold of 2-3hours, the hourly rate was more interesting than the flat fee rate.

CONCLUSION

There were disparities in remuneration of on-call and on-duty urologists. Greater variability affected on-call flat fee rate remuneration beyond a certain threshold of hours and remuneration of multi-organ removal. These disparities should be considered in order to get a national harmonization.

Modelling Behaviour of PET for Stretch and Micro-Blow Moulding Applications Using an Elasto-Visco-Plastic Material Model

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has been widely used in the stretch blow moulding (SBM) process for packaging applications. Finite element analysis has become extensively useful for assessing container designs and enabling the designers to perform analyses earlier in the design cycle to determine the best material and the best structure. However, there are several challenging issues due to various processing parameters and complex material behaviour, which is both temperature and strain-rate dependent. In this paper, we generalize the G'Sell-Jonas law in the three-dimensional (3D) case to model and simulate the elasto-visco-plastic (EVP) behaviour of PET, taking into account strain-hardening and strain-softening. In addition, it is observed that the internal pressure (inside the preform) is significantly different from the nominal pressure (imposed in the blowing device upstream) since the internal pressure and the enclosed volume of the preform are fully coupled. In order to accurately simulate this phenomenon, a thermodynamic model was used to characterize the pressure-volume relationship (PVR). The predicted pressure evolution is therefore more realistic when imposing only the machine power of the blowing device (air compressor or vacuum pump). Mechanical and temperature equilibrium equations are fully nonlinear and solved separately with implicit schemes on the current deformed configuration, which is updated at each time step. Biaxial characterization tests were used to determine the model parameters in order to simulate the SBM process using the PVR. Three industrial case studies, comparing simulated thickness predictions to experimental measurements, will be presented in order to illustrate the applicability of the proposed model.

Assessment of the bio-preparedness and of the training of the French hospital laboratories in the event of biological threat

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Assessment of the bio-preparedness and of the training of the French hospital laboratories in the event of biological threat

A national laboratory network 'Biotox-Piratox' was created in 2003 in France with the purpose of detecting, confirming and reporting potential biological and chemical threat agents. This network is divided into three levels: Level 1 is dedicated to the evaluation of risks (biological, chemical, radiological), to sampling and packing. Level 2 consists of university and military hospitals, who deal with biological specimens, and of environmental and veterinary laboratories, who deal with environmental and animal samples. Level 3 comprises national reference laboratories and the Jean Mérieux biosafety level (BSL)-4 laboratory in Lyon. This report presents the results of four bio-preparedness exercises to check critical points in the processing of samples. These exercises took place in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Each of them consisted of two parts. The first part was the identification of an unknown bacterial strain and its susceptibility to antibiotics used as a default in case of a bioterrorist event. The second part was the detection of Class III microorganisms, mainly by molecular techniques. The main lesson learnt in these exercises was that the key to successful detection of biological agents in case of a biological threat was standardisation and validation of the methods implemented by all the laboratories belonging to the network.

[Sexual function before surgery for pelvic organ prolapse]

AIM

The aim of our study was to assess the link between pelvic organ prolapse (POP) characteristics and sexual well-being using validated tools.

MATERIAL

A prospective analysis was carried out in 148 women with a POP. The degree of prolapse was measured by using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POPQ). Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) questionnaire score was used to estimate the severity of symptoms. Pelvic Organ Prolapse Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire short form (PISQ-12) scores determined sexual function level.

RESULTS

No correlation was found concerning the global sexual function score and the POP stage (P=0.24). Pelvic and urinary symptoms were associated with a decrease in sexual function score (P=0.04 and P=0.002). Defecation symptoms were correlated with decreased sexual satisfaction (P ≤ 0.05) and were associated with premature ejaculation (P ≤ 0.05). Urinary symptoms were associated with dyspareunia (P ≤ 0.01), avoidance of sexual activities (P ≤ 0.05), negative emotions during intercourse (P ≤ 0.01) and decreased sexual excitement (P ≤ 0.05). Pelvic symptoms were significantly tied to avoidance of sexual activities (P ≤ 0.01), dyspareunia (P ≤ 0.05) and a poorer orgasm quality (P ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The degree of pelvic organ prolapse was not statistically associated with sexual function. However, urinary, pelvic and defecatory (ano-rectal) symptoms were associated with a decrease in the couple's sexual well-being.

Long-term outcomes after totally robotic sacrocolpopexy for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the feasibility, safety, effectiveness, and long-term results of pelvic organ prolapse surgery using the Da Vinci robotic system.

METHODS

During a 7-year period, 52 consecutive patients with pelvic organ prolapse underwent robotic-assisted abdominal sacrocolpopexy. Clinical data were retrospectively collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

All but two of the procedures were successfully completed robotically (96 %). Median operative time was 190 (range, 75-340) mins. There was no mortality and no specific morbidity due to the robotic approach. Mean hospital stay was 5 days. The median follow-up was 42 months. Five recurrent prolapses (9.6 %) were diagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience indicates that using the Da-Vinci robotic system is feasible, safe, and effective for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse with good long-term results.

Perceived impacts of a first wheelchair on social participation

PURPOSE

To document perceived impacts in users' daily activities and social roles (social participation) following the acquisition of a first manual or powered wheelchair.

METHODS

A qualitative design with a phenomenological approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. An interview guide was developed based on the 12 social participation categories in the Disability Creation Process (DCP) conceptual model as themes underlying the questions: 'What has changed in your daily life since you got your new wheelchair?' and 'What has not changed in your daily life that you thought you would do differently with your new wheelchair?'

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The average age of the ten participants was 64.3 years (±16.3) and 90% had received a manual wheelchair. Four main themes emerged from the detailed analysis: changes in daily activities, expectations not met, impacts on social roles and emotional changes. The participants considered the changes in daily activities to be generally positive. Expectations not met mainly related to outdoor mobility. The participants had not anticipated the impacts on social roles and emotional changes, which demonstrate the complexity of human occupation.

CONCLUSION

Getting a wheelchair is a major and complex event in a person's life.

Phenotypic and genetic characterization of macrolide resistance in Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica biovar I

OBJECTIVES

Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica strains are classified as biovars I and II, which are susceptible and naturally resistant to the macrolide erythromycin, respectively. The present study was aimed at both selecting biovar I strains with increased levels of erythromycin resistance and characterizing the underlying genetic mechanisms.

METHODS

Serial cultures in the presence of increasingly high erythromycin concentrations were performed to select independent high- and intermediate-level erythromycin-resistant mutants from each of three different biovar I strains. The mutants were characterized for cross-resistance to several antibiotics, presence of mutations in the genes encoding the 23S rRNA and the L4 and L22 ribosomal proteins, and overexpression of efflux pumps.

RESULTS

Mutants displayed cross-resistance to all macrolide compounds tested but not to other classes of antibiotics. We found mutations in domain V of the 23S rRNA gene (G2057A, A2058G, A2058T and C2611T) and in the gene encoding L22, leading to either the G91D substitution or the M82K83R84 deletion. Analysis of mutants with intermediate resistance levels obtained over the course of the selection process revealed both a positive correlation between the number of mutated ribosomal operons and the resistance level, and an additional resistance mechanism in the early steps of selection.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that high-level resistance to macrolides can be easily obtained in vitro in F. tularensis subsp. holarctica biovar I strains, thereby suggesting that in vivo selection for resistance may explain reported failures of antibiotic treatment. Ketolides were the most effective macrolides tested, which may limit the risk of selection for resistance.

Burkholderia pseudomallei Requires Zn(sup2+) for Optimal Exoprotease Production in Chemically Defined Media

The effects of various medium components on exoprotease production by Burkholderia pseudomallei were studied in order to understand the production of virulence factors by this pathogenic organism. FeSO(inf4), NaCl, and MgSO(inf4) do not significantly affect exoprotease activity, and CaCl(inf2) has only a slight influence. Conversely, ZnCl(inf2) plays a fundamental role since it drastically increases exoprotease production.

[Renal cell carcinoma: which criteria to define antiangiogenic treatment failure? A case report]

Failure criteria of antiangiogenic treatment that must make envisage a change of molecule are still difficult to define. Concerning the evaluation of the response, if the RECIST criteria seem to be limited, several other tools of evaluation (clinical, radiological or biological tools) can be interesting. It is the case of contrast-enhanced ultra-sonography, but a precise definition of functional parameters should be defined and a standardization of the technique is necessary. Side effects do not translate necessarily a treatment failure. They must be estimated by taking into account the frequency of some of symptoms. Asthenia is noticed in more than 50% of the patients ; it is however necessary to exclude another aetiology, in particular iatrogenic hypothyroidism.

Vacuum-assisted biopsies under MR guidance: results of 72 procedures

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging-guided breast vacuum-assisted biopsy (MR-VAB).

METHODS

Of 97 scheduled MR-VAB for single MRI lesions (negative second-look sonography) categorised as BI-RADS 4 or 5, 4 were cancelled (undetected lesion = 2, technical problems = 2). Twenty-one patients lost to follow-up were excluded.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients (median age 51 years) were at high risk (BRCA1 = 11, BRCA2 = 7, familial risk = 5), 23 had a suspected local recurrence of breast cancer. Seventy-two imaged lesions (focus = 1, mass enhancement = 32, non-mass-like enhancement = 39) were targeted with a 10-gauge VAB probe using MRI guidance, with a median of 18 specimens per lesion (median procedural time 72 min, range 50-131 min) followed by clip placement. In the case of benignity, MRI follow-up was performed (19 patients, median 389 days, range 33-1,592) or mammography (3 patients, median 420 days, range 372-1,354). According to histopathology results, 29 lesions were benign, 10 were high-risk (papillary = 2, radial scar = 1, atypical epithelial hyperplasia = 7) and 33 malignant (ductal carcinoma in situ = 8, invasive cancers = 25). Three false negative results and 3 complications occurred (1 malaise, 1 skin defect, 1 infection).

CONCLUSION

MRI-guided VAB represents an accurate tool for the histological diagnosis of lesions visible only at MRI.

Impact of wheelchair acquisition on social participation

PURPOSE

Efficient mobility could be a prerequisite to carrying out many daily activities and social roles (social participation). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of wheelchair acquisition on social participation.

METHODS

Single group pre/post design where the intervention was the acquisition of a wheelchair paid for by the provincial government. Data were collected retrospectively from the participants' medical files. Individuals were excluded if they received an assistive device other than a wheelchair or contacted the centre only for wheelchair repairs. Social participation was measured using the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI) questionnaire.

RESULTS

The sample (n = 42) had a mean age of 64.2 +/- 18.5 years, and 50% of them (n = 21) did not have a wheelchair before the intervention. The total RNLI scores pre- (46.9/100 +/- 24.7) and post-acquisition (29.7/100 +/- 18.5) showed a significant improvement in participation (p < 0.001). No difference was found between those who had their first wheelchair (n = 21) compared with replacement. Single-item analysis of the RNLI showed a significant difference for 5 of the 11 items. Age and diagnosis were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with some of the items.

CONCLUSION

Social participation improved significantly following wheelchair acquisition although confounding variables may have contributed to this improvement.

Description of two new plasmids isolated from Francisella philomiragia strains and construction of shuttle vectors for the study of Francisella tularensis

Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia, a zoonotic disease often transmitted to humans by infected animals. The lack of useful specific genetic tools has long hampered the study of F. tularensis subspecies. We identified and characterized two new plasmids, pF242 and pF243, isolated from Francisella philomiragia strains ATCC 25016 and ATCC 25017, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that pF242 and pF243 are closely related to pC194 and pFNL10 plasmids, respectively. Two generations of pF242- and pF243-based shuttle vectors, harboring several antibiotic resistance markers, were developed. We used the first generation to compare transformation efficiencies in two virulent F. tularensis subspecies. We found that electroporation was more efficient than cryotransformation: almost all vectors tested were successfully introduced by electroporation into Francisella strains with a high level of efficiency. The second generation of shuttle vectors, containing a multiple cloning site and/or gfp gene downstream of Francisella groES promotor, was used for GFP production in F. tularensis. The development of new shuttle vectors offers new perspectives in the genetic manipulation of F. tularensis, helping to elucidate the mechanisms underlying its virulence.

Validation of ten new polymorphic tandem repeat loci and application to the MLVA typing of Burkholderia pseudomallei isolates collected in Singapore from 1988 to 2004

Multiple locus variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) has been shown to be very promising for the typing of Burkholderia pseudomallei and mallei. The currently available set of loci requires high resolution allele size measurement due to short repeat units. The present work was aimed at expanding the available set of VNTR loci, and generating data from a collection of 102 B. pseudomallei strains isolated in Singapore between 1988 and 2004 including few additional strains of various origins as references. Ten new VNTRs with a longer array size have been identified compatible with standard agarose gel separation, and a reference database of 72 genotypes was created which can be queried on the Internet.

[Elevation of PSA after prostate radiotherapy: rebound or biochemical recurrence?]

The fact that external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy are now considered to be curative techniques has led to major review of the modalities of follow-up after radiotherapy for prostate cancer. The problem concerns both the diagnosis of recurrence, rapidly announced by elevation of prostatic-specific antigen (PSA), usually at a subclinical stage, and the validity of criteria of biochemical recurrence to allow comparison of various study. Physicians involved in follow-up should be aware of the potential of bounce in PSA follow-up after external beam radiotherapy or brachytherapy. The PSA bounce phenomemon was defined by a rise of PSA values (+0.1 -0.8 ng/ml) with a subsequent fall. Biochemical failure after external beam radiotherapy or brachytherapy (with or without hormonotherapy) was defined by Phoenix criteria by a rise of 2 ng/ml above an initial PSA nadir. This definition was more correlated to PSA bounce phenomenon.

Low-temperature inelastic collisions between hydrogen molecules and helium atoms

Inelastic H(2):He collisions are studied from the experimental and theoretical points of view between 22 and 180 K. State-to-state cross sections and rates are calculated at the converged close-coupling level employing recent potential energy surfaces (PES): The MR-PES [J. Chem. Phys. 100, 4336 (1994)], and the MMR-PES and BMP-PESs [J. Chem. Phys. 119, 3187 (2003)]. The fundamental rates k(2-->0) and k(3-->1) for H(2):He collisions are assessed experimentally on the basis of a master equation describing the time evolution of rotational populations of H(2) in the vibrational ground state. These populations are measured in the paraxial region of supersonic jets of H(2)+He mixtures by means of high-sensitivity and high spatial resolution Raman spectroscopy. Good agreement between theory and experiment is found for the k(2-->0) rate derived from the MR-PES, but not for the BMP-PES. For the k(3-->1) rate, which is about one-third to one-half of k(2-->0), the result is less conclusive. The experimental k(3-->1) rate is compatible within experimental error with the values calculated from both PESs. In spite of this uncertainty, the global consistence of experiment and theory in the framework of Boltzmann equation supports the MR-PES and MMR-PESs, and the set of gas-dynamic equations employed to describe the paraxial region of the jet at a molecular level.

[Urethral cancer: report of three cases and review of the literature]

OBJECTIVE

To review the various clinical forms of female urethral cancer in the light of three clinical cases with a review of the corresponding treatment guidelines.

METHOD

The authors report three cases of female urethral cancer. Case 1 consisted of squamous cell carcinoma in a 56-year-old woman with no particular history. Case 2 was a urothelial tumour arising in a urethral diverticulum in a 60-year-old smoker. Case 3 was a 69-year-old woman patient with invasive urothelial carcinoma.

RESULTS

Case 1 was treated by segmental urethrectomy with no adjuvant therapy and a favourable course. Case 2 was treated by anterior pelvic exenteration with no adjuvant therapy. This patient relapsed in the form of peritoneal carcinomatosis two years later and died. Case 3 was initially treated by anterior pelvic exenteration followed by a chemoradiotherapy combination after local recurrence with a favourable course.

CONCLUSION

There are many clinical presentations and histological forms of female urethral cancer. Localized distal lesions can be treated by simple circumferential resection. The treatment of other lesions comprises anterior pelvic exenteration and platinum- or M-VAC-based chemoradiotherapy. The main prognostic factors for these tumours are their size, histological type, site and the presence of pelvic lymph node extension.