Study of the Synchronous Injection in a Controlled Pulsed Arc Plasma

In the field of plasma spray technologies, new processes are developing to obtain coatings with nanostructured architectures. Difficulties of understanding and controlling the process originate from the continuous injection of a liquid material and the power instabilities of the current torches which strongly affect the heat and momentum transfers to the nanometric particles. This paper reports an original method to make TiO₂ coatings by suspension plasma spraying. A direct current (DC) power supply applying time-modulated current amplitude to a custom DC torch is used to generate at low power (1.5 kW) a pulsed laminar plasma jet with periodic oscillations of its properties. To make best use of this pulsed mode, a synchronization device was developed. It allows triggering from the arc voltage an inkjet nozzle to deliver at a precise moment a single droplet to improve the control of plasma/material interaction. An ink of TiO₂ anatase solid particles is formulated to be compatible with a drop-on-demand printhead dispenser. In-flight diagnostic is made by optical emission spectroscopy and a fast shutter camera. TiO₂ coatings are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Results show that homogeneous TiO₂ coatings of nanostructured cauliflowers shapes are obtained thanks to the controlled injection system. A competition between nucleation mechanism and liquid particles deposition are also observed. These deposits correspond to a mixture of anatase and rutile phases.     

Dietary exposure estimates of 18 elements from the 1st French Total Diet Study.

To estimate the dietary exposure of the main minerals and trace elements from retail food typically consumed by the French population, samples were purchased and then prepared and cooked prior to analysis. A total of 1080 individual food composites samples were collected and analysed for 18 elements (arsenic, lead, cadmium, aluminium, mercury, antimony, chrome, calcium, manganese, magnesium, nickel, copper, zinc, lithium, sodium, molybdenum, cobalt and selenium). Intakes were calculated from different food consumption patterns found in France for average and high consumers among adults and children. Dietary exposures of those consumers estimated from the France 2000 Total Diet Study (FTDS) are reported, and compared with existing nutritional reference values (Lowest threshold Intake, LTI) or toxicological reference values (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake, PTWI or Upper Level, UL) of the respective element and from previous French studies. This study confirms for the populations concerned, the low probability of nutritional or health risks due to food consumption.     

Physicochemical characteristics and biological activities of seasonal atmospheric particulate matter sampling in two locations of Paris

Fine particulate matter present in urban areas seems to be incriminated in respiratory disorders. The aim of this study was to relate physicochemical characteristics of PM2.5 (particulate matter collected with a 50% efficiency for particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microm) to their biological activities toward a bronchial epithelial cell line 16-HBE. Two seasonal sampling campaigns of particles were realized, respectively, in a kerbside and an urban background station in Paris. Sampled-PM2.5 mainly consist of particles with a size below 1 microm and are mainly composed of soot as assessed by analytical scanning electron microscopy. The different PM2.5 samples contrasted in their PAH content, which was the highest in the kerbside station in winter, as well as in their metal content. Kerbside station samples were characterized by the highest Fe and Cu content, which appears correlated to their hydroxyl radical generating properties measured by electron paramagnetic resonance. Particles were compared by their capacity to induce cytotoxicity, intracellular ROS production, and proinflammatory cytokine release (GM-CSF and TNF-alpha). At a concentration of 10 microg/cm2, all samples induced peroxide production and cytokine release to the similar extent in the absence of cytotoxicity. In conclusion, whereas the PM2.5 samples differ by their PAH and metal composition, they induce the same biological responses likely either due to components bioavailability and/ or interactions between PM components.     

A low-calorie beverage supplemented with low-viscosity pectin reduces energy intake at a subsequent meal

The addition of fiber to foods and beverages has been linked with greater satiety and reduced energy intakes at the next meal. However, measures of satiety can be influenced by the time interval between beverage consumption and the next meal. The objective of this study was to determine how the time interval between consumption and a subsequent test meal impacts the satiating power of a low-calorie beverage supplemented with low-viscosity pectin fiber. Forty-two participants (20 men, 22 women) each participated in 4 study sessions. Study preloads were 2 low-calorie beverages (355 mL, 8 kcal) containing either 0 g fiber (no fiber) or 8 g low-viscosity fiber (added fiber). These preloads were consumed either 90 min before lunch or 15 min before lunch. Every 15 min, participants rated hunger, desire to eat, fullness, and thirst using 100-mm visual analogue scales. A test lunch was served and plate waste was measured. Beverages with added fiber reduced energy intakes at lunch relative to those without fiber. A short delay (15 min) between beverage consumption and a subsequent meal was associated with higher satiety ratings and reduced energy intakes, regardless of fiber content. The addition of low-viscosity pectin to low-calorie beverages reduced energy intakes at the next meal, presenting a possible tool for intake regulation. A short time interval between consumption of a low-calorie beverage and a meal also increased satiety and decreased food intake, reflecting the short-lived effect of volume.     

Electrostatic sprayed SnO2 and Cu-doped SnO2 films for H2S detection

This paper presents the ability of electrostatic sprayed tin oxide (SnO₂) and tin oxide doped with copper oxide (1, 2, and 4 at.% Cu) films to detect different pollutant gases, i.e., H₂S, SO₂, and NO₂. The influence of a copper oxide dopant on the SnO₂ morphology is studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique, which reveals a small decrease in the porosity and particle size when the amount of dopant is increased. The sensing properties of the SnO₂ films are greatly improved by doping, i.e., the Cu-doped SnO₂ films have large response to low concentration (10 ppm) of H₂S at low operating temperature (100 °C). Furthermore, no cross-sensitivity to 1 ppm NO₂ and 20 ppm SO₂ is observed. Among the studied films, the 1 at.% Cu-doped SnO₂ layer is the most sensitive in the detection of all the studied gases.     

Outcomes one year after a road accident: Results from the ESPARR cohort

Objective

Reducing the rates of death, trauma and sequelae associated with road accidents is the prime goal of road safety authorities, and success requires having data on victims’ outcomes in the long term. The present study examined the outcome of adult road accident victims one year after their accident.

Design

A follow-up study.

Methods

The cohort comprised 886 injured road-accident victims, aged ≥16 years, and living in the Rhône administrative Département, France (taken from the ESPARR Cohort). Data were collected on victim characteristics at the time of crash, and self-reported outcomes one year later. The population of respondents at the one-year questionnaire follow-up was divided into two categories according to injury severity, as mild-to-moderate (M.AIS < 3) or severe (M.AIS 3+). Qualitative variables were compared between these 2 groups using Chi² or Fisher exact tests.

Results

At one year post-accident, 45% of the mild-to-moderate injury group versus only 20% of severely injured subjects reported full recovery of health (p < 0.001). 20% of the cohort, as a whole, reported permanent pain. More than half of the severely injured subjects reported that the accident had had an impact on the everyday life of their family; this was twice as many as in the mild-to-moderate injury group (55% vs. 22%). Most of the severely injured reported impact on leisure, projects and emotional life: 20% reported relational difficulties in the couple, 16% reported impaired sexual life, and the rate of separation was significantly higher than in the mild-to-moderate injury group (5% vs. 1%; p < 0.001). Mean time off work was significantly longer in the severe injury group: 245 ± 158 days vs. 75 ± 104 days (p < 0.001); and 32% of the severe injury group (p < 0.001) who had stopped work had not returned at 1 year, compared to 5% of the mild-to-moderate injury group.

Conclusions

One year after a road accident, the consequences for victims remain significant. In terms of physical impact, pain frequently persists, impairing daily life for many. There is an elevated rate of chronic PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and a non-negligible impact on affective and occupational life.     

Compactly supported radial basis functions for the acoustic 3D eigenanalysis using the particular integral method

This paper discusses the efficiency of several Compactly Supported Radial Basis Functions (CSRBFs) for the eigenanalysis of 3D acoustic cavities using the Particular Integral Method. Starting with the two most popular CSRBF families due to Wendland and Wu, a third family proposed by Buhmann is suggested. Results on rectangular parallelepiped highlight the benefit of CSRBFs compared to the classical conical function, especially when dealing with cavities discretized by few elements. On the other hand, when the mesh is refined, numerical difficulties arise and particular attention should be paid to the order of the employed CSRBF. Indeed, and while the conical function is likely to be the most robust function, high-order CSRBFs should be avoided. However, the proposed Buhmann's functions appear to bring significant improvements on eigenanalysis when compared to their Wendland and Wu counterparts.     

Dietary Modulation of the Human Gut Microbiota and Metabolome with Flaxseed Preparations

Flaxseeds are typically consumed either as whole flaxseed, ground flaxseed, flaxseed oil, partially defatted flaxseed meal, or as a milk alternative. They are considered a rich source of vitamins, minerals, proteins and peptides, lipids, carbohydrates, lignans, and dietary fiber, which have shown hypolipidemic, antiatherogenic, anticholesterolemic, and anti-inflammatory property activity. Here, an in vitro batch culture model was used to investigate the influence of whole milled flaxseed and partially defatted milled flaxseed press cake on the gut microbiota and the liberation of flaxseed bioactives. Microbial communities were profiled using 16S rRNA gene-based high-throughput sequencing with targeted mass spectrometry measuring lignan, cyclolinopeptide, and bile acid content and HPLC for short-chain fatty acid profiles. Flaxseed supplementation decreased gut microbiota richness with Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes becoming the predominant phyla. Secoisolariciresinol, enterodiol, and enterolactone were rapidly produced with acetic acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid being the predominant acids after 24 h of fermentation. The flaxseed press cake and whole flaxseed were equivalent in microbiota changes and functionality. However, press cake may be superior as a functional additive in a variety of foods in terms of consumer acceptance as it would be more resistant to oxidative changes.