Exploring substitution random functions composed of stationary multi-Gaussian processes.

Simulation of random fields is widely used in Earth sciences for modeling and uncertainty quantification. The spatial features of these fields may have a strong impact on the forecasts made using these fields. For instance, in flow and transport problems the connectivity of the permeability fields is a crucial aspect.

Towards Improved Remedial Outcomes in Categorical Aquifers with an Iterative Ensemble Smoother.

Categorical parameter distributions consisting of geologic facies with distinct properties, for example, high-permeability channels embedded in a low-permeability matrix, are common at contaminated sites. At these sites, low-permeability facies store solute mass, acting as secondary sources to higher-permeability facies, sustaining concentrations for decades while increasing risk and cleanup costs. Parameter estimation is difficult in such systems because the discontinuities in the parameter space hinder the inverse problem.

Automatic stochastic 3D clay fraction model from tTEM survey and borehole data.

In most urbanized and agricultural areas of central Europe, the shallow underground is constituted of Quaternary deposits which are often the most extensively used layers (water pumping, shallow geothermic, material excavation). All these deposits are often complexly intertwined, leading to high spatial variability and high complexity. Geophysical data can be a fast and reliable source of information about the underground.

An Attempt to Boost Posterior Population Expansion Using Fast Machine Learning Algorithms.

In hydrogeology, inverse techniques have become indispensable to characterize subsurface parameters and their uncertainty. When modeling heterogeneous, geologically realistic discrete model spaces, such as categorical fields, Monte Carlo methods are needed to properly sample the solution space. Inversion algorithms use a forward operator, such as a numerical groundwater solver.

Clinical relevance of genotype-phenotype correlations beyond vascular events in a cohort study of 1500 Marfan syndrome patients with FBN1 pathogenic variants.

Purpose: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a connective tissue disorder in which several systems are affected with great phenotypic variability. Although known to be associated with pathogenic variants in the FBN1 gene, few genotype-phenotype correlations have been found in proband studies only.

Methods: In 1,575 consecutive MFS probands and relatives from the most comprehensive database worldwide, we established survival curves and sought genotype-phenotype correlations.

Using Generative Adversarial Networks as a Fast Forward Operator for Hydrogeological Inverse Problems.

Subsurface characterization using inverse techniques constitutes one of the fundamental elements of hydrogeological modeling applications. Available methods to solve inverse problems rely on a forward operator that predicts state variables for a given set of subsurface parameters. As the number of model parameters to be estimated increases, forward operations incur a significant computational demand.

A 2D hyperspectral library of mineral reflectance, from 900 to 2500 nm.

Mineral identification using machine learning requires a significant amount of training data. We built a library of 2D hyperspectral images of minerals. The library contains reflectance images of 130 samples, of 76 distinct minerals, with more than 3.

[Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors and hepatitis].

Immunotherapy, with « checkpoint » inhibitors (CPIs), has become an essential therapeutic weapon against cancer. Autoimmune disorders related to overactivation of the immune system are well known side effects. The risk of reactivation of the hepatitis B and C viruses and exacerbation of the hepatitis, known from the introduction of immunosuppressive drugs such as chemotherapy, is poorly documented under immunotherapy.

Generation of 3D Spatially Variable Anisotropy for Groundwater Flow Simulations.

Sedimentary units generally present anisotropy in their hydraulic properties, with higher hydraulic conductivity along bedding planes, rather than perpendicular to them. This common property leads to a modeling challenge if the sedimentary structure is folded. In this paper, we show that the gradient of the geological potential used by implicit geological modeling techniques can be used to compute full hydraulic conductivity tensors varying in space according to the geological orientation.

Apolipoprotein H expression is associated with IL28B genotype and viral clearance in hepatitis C virus infection.

Background & Aims: HCV requires host lipid metabolism for replication, and apolipoproteins have been implicated in the response to treatment.

Methods: We examined plasma apolipoprotein concentrations in three cohorts of patients: mono-infected patients with symptomatic acute hepatitis C (aHCV); those undergoing treatment for chronic hepatitis C (cHCV); and HIV/HCV co-infected patients being treated for their chronic hepatitis C. We also evaluated associations between apolipoproteins and IL28B polymorphisms, a defined genetic determinant of viral clearance.

Early-onset osteoarthritis, Charcot-Marie-Tooth like neuropathy, autoimmune features, multiple arterial aneurysms and dissections: an unrecognized and life threatening condition.

Background: Severe osteoarthritis and thoracic aortic aneurysms have recently been associated with mutations in the SMAD3 gene, but the full clinical spectrum is incompletely defined.

Methods: All SMAD3 gene mutation carriers coming to our centre and their families were investigated prospectively with a structured panel including standardized clinical workup, blood tests, total body computed tomography, joint X-rays. Electroneuromyography was performed in selected cases.

Modeling fine-scale geological heterogeneity--examples of sand lenses in tills.

Sand lenses at various spatial scales are recognized to add heterogeneity to glacial sediments. They have high hydraulic conductivities relative to the surrounding till matrix and may affect the advective transport of water and contaminants in clayey till settings. Sand lenses were investigated on till outcrops producing binary images of geological cross-sections capturing the size, shape and distribution of individual features.

New methods to estimate 2D water level distributions of dynamic rivers.

River restoration measures are becoming increasingly popular and are leading to dynamic river bed morphologies that in turn result in complex water level distributions in a river. Disconnected river branches, nonlinear longitudinal water level profiles and morphologically induced lateral water level gradients can evolve rapidly. The modeling of such river-groundwater systems is of high practical relevance in order to assess the impact of restoration measures on the exchange flux between a river and groundwater or on the residence times between a river and a pumping well.

Pentoxifylline does not decrease short-term mortality but does reduce complications in patients with advanced cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Pentoxifylline, an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, is given to patients with liver diseases, but its effects in patients with advanced cirrhosis are unknown. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of its effects in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: A total of 335 patients with cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class C) were assigned to groups given either pentoxifylline (400 mg, orally, 3 times daily; n = 164) or placebo (n = 171) for 6 months.

Truncated plurigaussian simulations to characterize aquifer heterogeneity.

Integrating geological concepts, such as relative positions and proportions of the different lithofacies, is of highest importance in order to render realistic geological patterns. The truncated plurigaussian simulation method provides a way of using both local and conceptual geological information to infer the distributions of the facies and then those of hydraulic parameters. The method (Le Loc'h and Galli 1994) is based on the idea of truncating at least two underlying multi-Gaussian simulations in order to create maps of categorical variable.

Management practices for gastrointestinal hemorrhage related to portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients: evaluation of the impact of the Paris consensus workshop.

Objectives: The purpose of this before-after observational survey was to evaluate compliance with good clinical practice guidelines for gastrointestinal hemorrhage related to portal hypertension and the impact of the French Consensus Workshop held in Paris in 2003.

Methods: Data were recorded concerning episodes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage occurring in cirrhotic patients using a survey questionnaire in 2003 before the workshop and again in 2004.

Results: Seventy-six index episodes were included in 2003 and 84 in 2004 in patients attending French hospitals.

Stochastic hydrogeology: what professionals really need?

Quantitative hydrogeology celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2006. Geostatistics is younger but has had a very large impact in hydrogeology. Today, geostatistics is used routinely to interpolate deterministically most of the parameters that are required to analyze a problem or make a quantitative analysis.

Management of digestive bleeding related to portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients: A French multicenter cross-sectional practice survey.

Aim: To investigate the conformity of management practices of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in cirrhotic patients with relevant guidelines.

Methods: A questionnaire on the management of digestive bleeding was completed for all consecutive cirrhotic patients admitted to 31 French hospitals.

Results: One hundred and twenty-six bleeding events were recorded.

Approximate discharge for constant head test with recharging boundary.

The calculation of the discharge to a constant drawdown well or tunnel in the presence of an infinite linear constant head boundary in an ideal confined aquifer usually relies on the numerical inversion of a Laplace transform solution. Such a solution is used to interpret constant head tests in wells or to roughly estimate ground water inflow into tunnels. In this paper, a simple approximate solution is proposed.

Forecasting the number of soil samples required to reduce remediation cost uncertainty.

Sampling scheme design is an important step in the management of polluted sites. It largely controls the accuracy of remediation cost estimates. In practice, however, sampling is seldom designed to comply with a given level of remediation cost uncertainty.

Terlipressin in patients with cirrhosis and type 1 hepatorenal syndrome: a retrospective multicenter study.

Background & Aims: Type 1 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a severe complication of cirrhosis associated with a short median survival time (<2 weeks). Although the administration of terlipressin improves renal function, its effect on survival is unknown. This study investigated predictive factors of survival in patients with type 1 HRS treated with terlipressin.