Induced side-branching in smooth and faceted dendrites: theory and phase-field simulations.

The present work is devoted to the phenomenon of induced side branching stemming from the disruption of free dendrite growth. We postulate that the secondary branching instability can be triggered by the departure of the morphology of the dendrite from its steady state shape. Thence, the instability results from the thermodynamic trade-off between non monotonic variations of interface temperature, surface energy, kinetic anisotropy and interface velocity within the Gibbs-Thomson equation.

Size-Dependent Solute Segregation at Symmetric Tilt Grain Boundaries in -Fe: A Quasiparticle Approach Study.

In the present work, atomistic modeling based on the quasiparticle approach (QA) was performed to establish general trends in the segregation of solutes with different atomic size at symmetric ⟨100⟩ tilt grain boundaries (GBs) in -Fe. Three types of solute atoms X, X and X were considered, with atomic radii smaller (X), similar (X) and larger (X) than iron atoms, respectively, corresponding to phosphorus (P), antimony (Sb) and tin (Sn). With this, we were able to evidence that segregation is dominated by atomic size and local hydrostatic stress.

Growth kinetics and morphology of snowflakes in supersaturated atmosphere using a three-dimensional phase-field model.

Simulating ice crystal growth is a major issue for meteorology and aircraft safety. Yet, very few models currently succeed in reproducing correctly the diversity of snow crystal forms, and link the model parameters to thermodynamic quantities. Here, we demonstrate that the new three-dimensional phase-field model developed in Demange et al.

Instrumentation for ice crystal characterization in laboratory using interferometric out-of-focus imaging.

Airborne characterization of ice crystals has important applications. The extreme difficulty of realizing in situ tests requires the development of a complete instrumentation in the laboratory. Such an installation should enable design, development, test, and calibration of instruments in conditions as close as possible to real ones.

Prevalence of hospital-acquired infections in a home care setting.

The aim of this point-prevalence study was to determine the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) by site of infection and the associated risk factors in a 'hospital at home' setting in Paris. All patients undergoing a care procedure with a risk of infection and who had been in home care for more than 48 h on the day of the survey (5 June 2000) were enrolled. A standard questionnaire was completed by nurses, midwives and family doctors.

[2003 clinical practice guideline: Standards, Options and Recommendations for pain assessment in adult and children with cancer (summary report)].

Context: The "Standards, Options and Recommendations" (SOR) project, which started in 1993, is a collaboration between the French Federation of Cancer Centers (FNCLCC), the 20 French Regional Cancer Centers, and specialists from French public universities, general hospitals and private clinics. The main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and the outcome of cancer patients.

Objective: To update clinical practice guidelines for the assessment of pain in adult or children with cancer in collaboration with the French society for pain study and treatment.

[Role of pediatric medical home care].

According to the decree of 1992, the Paris hospitals (AP-HP) pediatric medical home care network offers care for all children irrespective of their pathology within the framework of a medico-psycho-social therapeutic project provided as an in alternative to traditional hospitalization. 30% of the admissions occur during the neonatal period. We studied the files of 249 newborn or preterm infants given in medical home care between January and September 2003.

Long-term central venous catheter infection in HIV-infected and cancer patients: a multicenter cohort study.

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the risk of long-term central venous catheter (CVC) infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and cancer patients.

Design: Prospective multicenter cohort study based on active surveillance of long-term CVC manipulations and patient outcome over a 6-month period.

Setting: Services of infectious diseases and oncology of 12 university hospitals in Paris, France.

[Prevalence of HIV infection in dialysis patients: results of a national multicenter study].

In order to determine the prevalence of HIV infection in french patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on maintenance dialysis therapy, questionnaire forms were mailed out in february 1997 to the heads of the 260 dialysis facilities. We documented number of patients on maintenance dialysis therapy (hemo and peritoneal dialysis) and for HIV infected dialysis patients: age, gender, cause and duration of ESRD, known duration of HIV infection, risk factors for HIV infection, HBV and/or HCV infection, presence of clinical acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), total CD4 count and treatment with antiretroviral agents. Questionnaire forms were returned from 98% of the dialysis facilities.

[Transfusion at home? An alternative to the day hospital].

In response to the needs of the Home Medical Services a project was set up in the Hemobiology Transfusion Service of Beaujon Hospital. The objective of this project was to avoid the difficult transfer of patients who were receiving for the most part palliative treatment. This required strict organization between consultants, haemobiologist physicians and healthcare personnel.

Diuretic effect and pharmacokinetic data observed at different stages of chronic renal failure with 240 mg of muzolimine.

Muzolimine (240 mg) was administered orally to 24 patients with chronic renal failure. In five patients with creatinine clearance ranging between 10 and 30 ml/min and five others with creatinine clearance lower than 10 ml/min, urinary output was measured in periods of 24 hours before, and 0 to 4, 4 to 10, 10 to 24, 24 to 48, 48 to 72 hours after administration of the drug. The amounts of sodium, chloride, potassium and urea excreted in each sample were determined.

Renal immunopathology in renal cell carcinoma.

Signs of glomerulopathy, especially a nephrotic syndrome can occur in cancer patients, but the exact frequency of glomerular lesions is not well known in these patients. To define this frequency in a given type of malignancy we have studied the nephrectomy kidneys in 40 patients with renal cell carcinoma. Proteinuria, which was present in 7 cases, ranged from 0.

[Significance of lymphocytotoxic antibodies in kidney transplantation revisited (author's transl)].

Lymphocytotoxic antibodies against peripheral blood lymphocytes (LT anti-PBL) were investigated in sera obtained before and after 148 kidney transplantations. Reactivity was assayed on a panel of unrelated donor cells and, in 15 cases, on the kidney donor's lymphocytes. Pretransplant LT anti-PBL, whether they persisted or not after grafting, were of no prognostic value.