Unexpected entropy response to saline spraying at the end of posterior fossa surgery: a few cases report.

in Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica (2011), 62(2), 87-90

The Spectral Entropy proposed to monitor the depth of anesthesia includes the State Entropy (SE) computed from the EEG (0.8-32 Hz frequency band), and the Response Entropy (RE) computed from EEG and ... [more ▼]

The Spectral Entropy proposed to monitor the depth of anesthesia includes the State Entropy (SE) computed from the EEG (0.8-32 Hz frequency band), and the Response Entropy (RE) computed from EEG and facial muscles activity (0.5-47 Hz frequency band). We report an unexpected Entropy response to saline spraying at the end of posterior fossa surgery. Six patients undergoing scheduled functional surgery of the posterior fossa were included in this report. They were anesthetized with propofol and remifentanil using TCI and received an intubation dose of rocuronium. At the end of surgery, saline spraying, performed for hemostatic purpose and wreckage elimination, resulted in a sustained increase in RE and SE without hemodynamic modification in four patients, while no change was observed in the two other ones. In one of the responding patients, 0.1 mg kg(-1) rocuronium attenuated the Entropy response. In the two non responders, repetition of spraying or rocuronium administration did not change Entropy value. Recovery from anesthesia was comparable in all patients and none of them complained from awareness. We conclude that Entropy can increase during posterior fossa surgery in non-paralyzed patients. This response probably reflects an increase in facial muscle activity rather than a change in depth of anesthesia, as far as it can be attenuated by a small dose of rocuronium. While this hypothesis requires further investigation, these observations suggest that saline spraying may confound interpretation of Entropy during posterior fossa surgery. [less ▲]

Toxicologie clinique et médico-légale

in Beauthier, Jean-Pol (Ed.) Traité de Médecine légale (2011)

Rapid restoration of a species-rich ecosystem assessed from soil and vegetation indicators: the case of calcareous grasslands restored from forest stands

in Ecological Indicators (2011), 11

Calcareous grasslands have long been recognized as biodiversity hotspots in Europe. However, in recent decades these ecosystems have seen rapid decline. In Belgium, more than 100 ha of calcareous ... [more ▼]

Calcareous grasslands have long been recognized as biodiversity hotspots in Europe. However, in recent decades these ecosystems have seen rapid decline. In Belgium, more than 100 ha of calcareous grasslands have been restored from oak coppices and pine forests since the 1990s. The aim of the present study was to provide a quantitative assessment of the success of these restoration efforts, using two sets of indicators: one related to soil conditions, the other related to vascular plant communities. Soil conditions were evaluated by comparing soil samples from pre-restoration forest stands, restored grasslands (3 age classes: 2-4 years; 5-8 years, 10-15 years) and reference grasslands. The analysis revealed no significant differences in soil N, P and K contents between pre-restoration forests and restored and reference grasslands. We observed a decrease in the mineralization rate indicators in both pre-restoration forests and recent grassland restorations, which was resorbed in older restorations. Floristic surveys revealed that plant species composition of older restorations was most like reference grasslands. However, some differences in species composition persisted after 15 years. Moreover, a few rare species did not colonise restored grasslands despite a close seed source. Non-recolonization by a set of species expected on calcareous grasslands may be due to dispersal limitation and higher cover by native invasive grasses in restored parcels. These results were discussed in term of implications for management. [less ▲]

Gonadal pathology and tumor risk in relation to clinical characteristics in patients with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism

in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (2011), 96(7), 1171-1180

Des faux souvenirs et autres choses qui remettent assez sérieusement en cause la valeur du témoignage, au moins dans certaines circonstances

Scientific conference (2011)

Comparison between satellite and in situ sea surface temperature data in the Western Mediterranean Sea

in Ocean Dynamics (2011), 61(6), 767-778

A comparison between in situ and satellite sea surface temperature (SST) is presented for the western Mediterranean Sea during 1999. Several international databases are used to extract in situ data (World ... [more ▼]

A comparison between in situ and satellite sea surface temperature (SST) is presented for the western Mediterranean Sea during 1999. Several international databases are used to extract in situ data (World Ocean Database (WOD), MEDAR/Medatlas, Coriolis Data Center, International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS)). The in situ data are classified into different platforms or sensors (CTD, XBT, drifters, bottles, ships), in order to assess the relative accuracy of these type of data respect to AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) SST satellite data. It is shown that the results of the error assessment vary with the sensor type, the depth of the in situ measurements, and the database used. Ship data are the most heterogeneous data set, and therefore present the largest differences with respect to in situ data. A cold bias is detected in drifter data. The differences between satellite and in situ data are not normally distributed. However, several analysis techniques, as merging and data assimilation, usually require Gaussian-distributed errors. The statistics obtained during this study will be used in future work to merge the in situ and satellite data sets into one unique estimation of the SST. [less ▲]

Survol des keratodermies palmo-plantaires acquises.

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2011), 66(10), 535-9

Palmoplantar keratodermas affect a vast group of the population. Their origin is genetic or acquired. They represent manifestations of several distinct diseases. The precise semiologic examination is ... [more ▼]

Palmoplantar keratodermas affect a vast group of the population. Their origin is genetic or acquired. They represent manifestations of several distinct diseases. The precise semiologic examination is important for elucidating the differential diagnosis. [less ▲]

Quality indicators for district heating networks

in Proceedings of the International Conference CISBAT 2011 - Clean Tech for sustainable buildings - From Nano to urban scale (2011)

District heating networks are very common energy systems all over the world but only few studies have been carried out to assess their performances through quality indicators. These indicators express ... [more ▼]

District heating networks are very common energy systems all over the world but only few studies have been carried out to assess their performances through quality indicators. These indicators express district heating performances through different points of view. Four ones are developed in this study: energy sources, efficiencies, heat delivering equipments characteristics and environmental efficiency as a sum up. First, the only energy indicator generally used is the primary energy factor (PEF), which quantifies the primary energy use of a device. However it does not give a complete insight of the whole energy use of district heating networks. Two other parameters have to be stated for this purpose: primary energy efficiency and the energy share. Second, district heating efficiencies are generally not been taken into account unless sometimes the only amount of heat losses. A first indicator is defined to quantify networks heat losses relatively to the amount of heat delivered to customers. To take heat plant efficiencies into account, a more global indicator is defined. Its definition is close to a seasonal efficiency and it permits comparisons with other heating systems. Third, indicators have been defined for heat plants equipments. Their aim is to permit stakeholders to check networks management of district heating companies. Two indicators are defined: one measures subscripted power relatively to network length and the other one represents the fictitious number of plants working hours while maximum plants power was delivered all the year. Finally, environmental efficiency is stated. This analysis can include different aspects: green house gas emissions, water use and other pollutants emissions. For both design and management of district heating networks, an indicator representing CO2 emissions appears to be the most suitable one. Expressed relatively to delivered energy, it can be seen as a sum up of previous indicators because result of bad performances increases these emissions. In this paper, these eight indicators are defined and their use is highlighted by a comparison of four different Finnish district heating networks. [less ▲]

Sex differences in adolescent depression: do sex hormones determine vulnerability?

in Journal of Neuroendocrinology (2011), 23(5), 383-92

Depression is one of the most common, costly and severe psychopathologies worldwide. Its incidence, however, differs significantly between the sexes, and depression rates in women are twice those of men ... [more ▼]

Depression is one of the most common, costly and severe psychopathologies worldwide. Its incidence, however, differs significantly between the sexes, and depression rates in women are twice those of men. Interestingly, this sex difference emerges during adolescence. Although the adolescent period is characterised by major physical and behavioural transformations, it is unclear why the incidence of depression increases so dramatically in girls during this otherwise generally healthy developmental period. Although psychological and environmental factors are also involved, we discuss the neuroendocrinological factors determining adolescent vulnerability to depression. In particular, we address the role of sex steroids in mood regulation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis maturation and sexual differentiation of the brain, with a focus on hippocampal plasticity. [less ▲]

La taille d’un fonds d’investissement influence-t-elle sa performance?

Article for general public (2011)