Metabolic adjustments to winter severity in two geographically separated great tit (Parus major) populations.

Understanding the potential limits placed on organisms by their ecophysiology is crucial for predicting their responses to varying environmental conditions. A main hypothesis for explaining avian thermoregulatory mechanisms is the aerobic capacity model, which posits a positive correlation between basal (basal metabolic rate [BMR]) and summit (M) metabolism. Most evidence for this hypothesis, however, comes from interspecific comparisons, and the ecophysiological underpinnings of avian thermoregulatory capacities hence remain controversial.

Great tits (Parus major) in a west European temperate forest show little seasonal variation in metabolic energy requirements.

Understanding how birds annually allocate energy to cope with changing environmental conditions and physiological states is a crucial question in avian ecology. There are several hypotheses to explain species' energy allocation. One prominent hypothesis suggests higher energy expenditure in winter due to increased thermoregulatory costs.

Size distribution of migrating particles and droplets under gravity in concentrated dispersions measured with static multiple light scattering.

Hypothesis: Light scattering techniques can provide a non-intrusive measurement of particle and droplet size distribution but are limited to relatively diluted liquid dispersions. Measurement of particle velocity distributions (PVD) and particle/droplet size distributions (PSD) in diluted to highly concentrated solid suspensions and emulsions can be performed by coupling the static multiple light scattering technique (SMLS) to mathematical models describing the vertical motion under gravity of polydisperse particles and droplets.

Experiments: Measurement of the PSD using SMLS was performed on silica particles dispersed in water with monomodal, bimodal and trimodal PSDs ranging from 570 nm and 7.

Biophysical models accurately characterize the thermal energetics of a small invasive passerine bird.

Effective management of invasive species requires accurate predictions of their invasion potential in different environments. By considering species' physiological tolerances and requirements, biophysical mechanistic models can potentially deliver accurate predictions of where introduced species are likely to establish. Here, we evaluate biophysical model predictions of energy use by comparing them to experimentally obtained energy expenditure (EE) and thermoneutral zones (TNZs) for the common waxbill , a small-bodied avian invader.

Seasonal variation in thermoregulatory capacity of three closely related Afrotropical Estrildid finches introduced to Europe.

A species' potential geographical range is largely determined by how the species responds physiologically to its changing environment. It is therefore crucial to study the physiological mechanisms that species use to maintain their homeothermy in order to address biodiversity conservation challenges, such as the success of invasions of introduced species. The common waxbill Estrilda astrild, the orange-cheeked waxbill E.

Experimental investigation of size broadening of a K x-ray source produced by high intensity laser pulses.

The size of a hard K x-ray source ([Formula: see text] = 17.48 keV) produced by a high intensity femtosecond laser interacting with a solid molybdenum target is experimentally investigated for a wide range of laser intensity (I ~ 10-2.8 × 10 W/cm) and for four values of the temporal contrast ratio (6.

Simultaneous screening of the stability and dosimetry of nanoparticles dispersions for in vitro toxicological studies with static multiple light scattering technique.

To evaluate the nanoparticle (NP) toxicity, much efforts have been devoted for developing methods to accurately disperse NPs into aqueous suspensions prior to in vitro toxicological studies. As NP toxicity is strongly dependent on their physicochemical properties, NP characterization is a key step for any in vitro toxicological study. This study demonstrates that the static multiple light scattering (SMLS) technique allows for the simultaneous screening of the NP size, agglomeration state, stability and dosimetry in biological media.

Exploring phase contrast imaging with a laser-based K x-ray source up to relativistic laser intensity.

This study explores the ability of a hard K x-ray source (17.48 keV) produced by a 10 TW class laser system operated at high temporal contrast ratio and high repetition rate for phase contrast imaging. For demonstration, a parametric study based on a known object (PET films) shows clear evidence of feasibility of phase contrast imaging over a large range of laser intensity on target (from ~10 W/cm to 7.

Truncated Gaussian-Bessel beams for short-pulse processing of small-aspect-ratio micro-channels in dielectrics.

In order to control the length of micro-channels ablated at the surface of dielectrics, we use annular filtering apertures for tailoring the depth of focus of micrometric Gaussian-Bessel beams. We identify experimentally and numerically the appropriate beam truncation that promotes a smooth axial distribution of intensity with a small elongation, suitable for processing micro-channels of small aspect ratio. Single-shot channel fabrication is demonstrated on the front surface of a fused silica sample, with sub-micron diameter, high-quality opening, and depth of few micrometers, using 1 ps low-energy (< 0.

Parallel vessels as a predictor of benignity in solid breast masses.

To evaluate the presence of a parallel artery and vein on color Doppler ultrasound as a predictor of benignity in solid breast masses. This prospective study included all patients with solid breast masses identified by ultrasound at our center from January 2012 through December 2015. All masses were studied with B mode and color Doppler ultrasound.

Rising from the ashes: resurrection of the Malagasy chameleons Furcifer monoceras and F. voeltzkowi (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae), based on micro-CT scans and external morphology.

The taxonomy of the Malagasy chameleon Furcifer rhinoceratus (Gray, 1845) is poorly resolved. The aim of this study is to clarify the taxonomic status of Chamaeleon voeltzkowi Boettger, 1893 and Chamaeleon monoceras Boettger, 1913 both only known from single or very few specimens mostly collected more than 100 years ago and currently considered as synonyms of Furcifer rhinoceratus. Using osteological data from micro-X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) combined with traditional morphological characters and morphometrics we resurrect both taxa from the synonymy of F.

High photon flux Kα Mo x-ray source driven by a multi-terawatt femtosecond laser at 100 Hz.

We develop a pulsed hard x-ray K source at 17.4 keV produced by the interaction of a multi-terawatt peak power infrared femtosecond laser pulse with a thick molybdenum (Mo) target at a 100 Hz repetition rate. We measure the highest Mo K photon production reported to date corresponding to a K photon flux of 1×10  ph/(sr·s) and an estimated peak brightness of ∼2.

Bubbles, drops, and solid particles recognition from real or virtual photonic jets reconstructed by digital in-line holography.

The image of the photonic jet (also called caustic) formed by a large, transparent, and spherical particle, reconstructed by digital in-line holography, is shown to be similar to the Airy pattern observed at the focus of a diffraction-limited lens. The analysis of this image, real or virtual depending on whether the particle relative refractive index is above or below one, allows characterizing the particle composition via its refractive index. Experiments clearly demonstrate the value of this method for the simultaneous 3D characterization and differentiation of the dynamics, size, and composition of gas, liquid, and solid particles in multiphase flows.

Recent Advances in Laser-Ablative Synthesis of Bare Au and Si Nanoparticles and Assessment of Their Prospects for Tissue Engineering Applications.

Driven by surface cleanness and unique physical, optical and chemical properties, bare (ligand-free) laser-synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) are now in the focus of interest as promising materials for the development of advanced biomedical platforms related to biosensing, bioimaging and therapeutic drug delivery. We recently achieved significant progress in the synthesis of bare gold (Au) and silicon (Si) NPs and their testing in biomedical tasks, including cancer imaging and therapy, biofuel cells, etc. We also showed that these nanomaterials can be excellent candidates for tissue engineering applications.

Impact of the pulse contrast ratio on molybdenum K generation by ultrahigh intensity femtosecond laser solid interaction.

We present an extended experimental study of the absolute yield of K x-ray source (17.48 keV) produced by interaction of an ultrahigh intensity femtosecond laser with solid Mo target for temporal contrast ratios in the range of 1.7 × 10-3.

The impact of axillary ultrasound with biopsy in overtreatment of early breast cancer.

Purpose: (a) To compare the axillary tumor burden detected by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) versus sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). (b) To evaluate the relationship between axillary tumor burden and the number of suspicious lymph nodes detected by axillary ultrasonography (US). (c) To calculate the false-positive and false-negative rates for FNAC in patients fulfilling ACOSOG Z0011 criteria.

Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging of the breast: Comparison of gadobutrol vs. Gd-DTPA.

Objective: To compare the pharmacokinetic profile of gadobutrol versus Gd-DTPA in dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in patients with breast cancer. Secondary objectives included comparing the safety profiles and diagnostic efficacy of the two contrast agents for detecting additional malignant lesions.

Material And Methods: This retrospective observational study included 400 patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer; 200 underwent DCE-MRI with Gd-DTPA (Magnevist®) and 200 underwent DCE-MRI with gadobutrol (Gadovist®).

Droplet sizing and mixture fraction measurement in liquid-liquid flows with rainbow-angle diffractometry.

The capabilities and resolution of the rainbow technique were extended to estimate the size distribution and composition of droplets in liquid-liquid systems. For these droplets, essentially characterized by a low relative refractive index (m≈1.001-1.

Automated Breast Ultrasound Lesions Detection Using Convolutional Neural Networks.

Breast lesion detection using ultrasound imaging is considered an important step of computer-aided diagnosis systems. Over the past decade, researchers have demonstrated the possibilities to automate the initial lesion detection. However, the lack of a common dataset impedes research when comparing the performance of such algorithms.

Local breast density assessment using reacquired mammographic images.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the spatial glandular volumetric tissue distribution as well as the density measures provided by Volpara™ using a dataset composed of repeated pairs of mammograms, where each pair was acquired in a short time frame and in a slightly changed position of the breast.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 99 pairs of repeatedly acquired full-field digital mammograms from 99 different patients. The commercial software Volpara™ Density Maps (Volpara Solutions, Wellington, New Zealand) is used to estimate both the global and the local glandular tissue distribution in each image.

Importance of surface topography on pulsed laser-induced damage threshold of Sapphire crystals.

We measure the laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) fluence under single shot at the surface of Sapphire samples prepared following the standards of two methods yielding to different surface finish and used in optical and laser industry. We use AFM microscopy to measure the roughness parameter Ra and power spectral density (PSD) of the sample surface. We show that the quality of surface topography resulting from surface preparation affects the damage threshold of Sapphire crystals exposed to femtosecond, picosecond, and nanosecond laser conditions at visible and near-infrared wavelengths.

Photonic jet reconstruction for particle refractive index measurement by digital in-line holography.

A new and computationally efficient approach is proposed for determining the refractive index of spherical and transparent particles, in addition to their size and 3D position, using digital in-line holography. The method is based on the localization of the maximum intensity position of the photonic jet with respect to the particle center retrieved from the back propagation of recorded holograms. Rigorous electromagnetic calculations and experimental results demonstrate that for liquid-liquid systems and droplets with a radius > 30µm, a refractive index measurement with a resolution inferior to 4 × 10 is achievable, revealing a significant potential for the use of this method to investigate multiphase flows.

Ultrapure laser-synthesized Si nanoparticles with variable oxidation states for biomedical applications.

We employ a method of femtosecond laser fragmentation of preliminarily prepared water-dispersed microcolloids to fabricate aqueous solutions of ultrapure bare Si-based nanoparticles (Si-NPs) and assess their potential for biomedical applications. The nanoparticles appear spherical in shape, with low size dispersion and a controllable mean size, from a few nm to several tens of nm, while a negative surface charge (-35 mV ± 0.10 according to z-potential data) provides good electrostatic stabilization of colloidal Si-NP solutions.

Identification of dengue type 2 virus in febrile travellers returning from Burkina Faso to France, related to an ongoing outbreak, October to November 2016.

Dengue fever is rarely reported in travellers returning from Africa. We report two cases of dengue fever in travellers returning from Burkina Faso to France. One of them presented a severe dengue fever with ALT > 1,000 IU/L and pericarditis.