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Ludwigia grandiflora ssp. hexapetala and L. peploides ssp. montevidensis have invaded many types of fresh water ecosystem in France leading to serious problems of management of these macrophytes. The prediction of extracted plant biomass quantities for every control method could considerably help in plant removal and selecting management choices. The paper presents results of the research program 'Biological Invasions' granted by the French Environmental Agency concerning the Ludwigia species (2003-2006): 'Characterization of the relations between biotopes, plant populations and human activities: Implications for management'. The objective of this work is: (1) to compare environmental variables in the western part of France where colonised water bodies are widespread, (2) to link these parameters with the evaluation of standing crops and (3) to propose implications for management planning and control methods. Measured dry biomass of Ludwigia spp. varied from 200 g DM m in shallow lakes to 4,500 g DM m in a meander of a eutrophicated river. Results depend on the scale of the analysis: within sites, between-sites, at different seasons or years. In sunny conditions, optimal for these plants and in nutrient rich areas, biomass is high. In general, exposure to wind, waves and currents reduces the standing crop. For plant production as well as removal work, the status of plant development and water level, are key factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study objective was to determine risk factors for severity of juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) at first endoscopic evaluation., Methods: Based on a review of all cases undergoing surgery for juvenile-onset RRP in two pediatric otolaryngology departments in the USA and France, the following severity risk factors were analyzed: number of laryngeal levels involved, extension to the subglottis, and bilateral involvement., Results: Thirty-two patients were included, with 571 endoscopic procedures. Number of endoscopies per patient varied according to initial extension: 30.67 procedures when all three levels were involved, 15.57 procedures when two and 14.08 procedures when only one (P=0.03). The odds ratio for risk of >14 procedures in 3-level involvement was 20.43 (P=0.047). Initial subglottic extension tended to be associated with more endoscopic procedures (23.67 vs 15.56, P=0.16)., Conclusions: RRP severity correlated with initial laryngeal extension of papillomatous lesions at first endoscopy. This finding allowed a short 3-item assessment scale to be created for routine use, complementary to Derkay's assessment scale., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the time course of spelling, and its influence on graphomotor execution, in a successive word copy task. According to the cascade model, these two processes may be engaged either sequentially or in parallel, depending on the cognitive demands of spelling. In this experiment, adults were asked to copy a series of words varying in frequency and spelling regularity. A combined analysis of eye and pen movements revealed periods where spelling occurred in parallel with graphomotor execution, but concerned different processing units. The extent of this parallel processing depended on the words' orthographic characteristics. Results also highlighted the specificity of word recognition for copying purposes compared with recognition for reading tasks. The results confirm the validity of the cascade model and clarify the nature of the dependence between spelling and graphomotor processes., (© 2011 Canadian Psychological Association)

The authors present the French concept of a mobile neurosurgical unit (MNSU) as used to provide specific support to remote military medicosurgical units deployed in Africa, South America, Central Europe, and Afghanistan. From 2001 to 2009, 15 missions were performed, for 16 patients. All but 3 of these missions (those in Kosovo, French Guyana, and Afghanistan) concerned Africa. Eleven patients were French soldiers, 3 were civilians, and 2 were Djiboutian soldiers. The conditions that MNSUs were requested for included craniocerebral wounds (2 cases), closed head trauma (7 cases), spinal trauma (5 cases), and spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage (2 cases). In 5 of the 16 cases, neurosurgical treatment was provided on site. All French soldiers and 2 civilians were evacuated to France. The MNSU can be deployed for timely treatment when some delay in neurosurgical management is acceptable.