pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Electron spin resonance in three spin- 1/2 dimer systems: VO(HPO4)0.5H2O , KZn(H2O)(VO)2(PO4)2(H2PO4) , and CsV_{2}O_{5}

International audienceUsing X-band electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, we investigate the magnetic properties of the low-dimensional quantum-spin systems, VO(HPO4)⋅0.5H2O, KZn(H2O)(VO)2(PO4)2(H2PO4), and CsV2O5, where the magnetic V4+(S=1/2) ions are arranged in pairs. By studying the temperature dependence as well as the angular dependence of the ESR spectra, we find that these systems, which may be well described as spin-1/2 dimer systems, show a change in behavior as a function of temperature. At room temperature, in accordance with the Kubo-Tomita prediction, an exchange narrowing phenomenon takes place, whereas linewidth broadening and then the appearance of a fine structure are instead observed at helium temperatures where spins are strongly correlated
New U-Pb zircon and 40Ar/39Ar muscovite age constraints on the emplacement of the Lizio syn-tectonic granite (Armorican Massif, France)

International audienceLA-ICP-MS U-Pb analyses performed on zircon grains from the Lizio granite yielded an emplacement age of 316 6 Ma. Typical S-C structures show that the Lizio granite was emplaced contemporaneously with dextral shearing along the northern branch of the South Armorican Shear Zone and that it was therefore active at that time. 40Ar/39Ar analyses performed on muscovite grains yielded plateau dates ranging between 311.5 and 308.2 Ma. Muscovite chemistry is typical of primary magmatic muscovite, which precludes a late fluidsinduced resetting of the K-Ar isotopic system. 40Ar/39Ar dates thus likely correspond to the cooling ages below the argon closure temperature. Considering the uncertainties on the measured ages, we can propose that either the Lizio granite cooled down quickly in less than a million of years or that it remained in a hot environment for several millions of years after its emplacement. This latter scenario could have been sustained by shear heating during dextral shearing along the northern branch of the South Armorican Shear Zone
The tRNA-like domains of E coli and A.aeolicus transfer-messenger RNA: structural and functional studies.

International audienceTransfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA, 10Sa RNA or ssrA) acts to rescue stalled bacterial ribosomes while encoding a peptide tag added trans-translationally to the nascent peptide, targeting it for proteolysis. The understanding at molecular level of this ubiquitous quality control system in eubacteria requires structural information. Here, we describe the purification and structural analysis of a functional fragment of both Aquifex aeolicus and Escherichia coli tmRNA, recapitulating their tRNA-like domain, which were expressed in vivo from synthetic genes. Both recombinant RNA are correctly processed at both 5' and 3' ends and are produced in quantities suitable for structural analysis by NMR and/or X-ray crystallography. The sequence and solution structure of the tRNA-like domains were analysed by various methods including structural mapping with chemical and enzymatic probes and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The minimalist RNAs contain two post-transcriptional base modifications, 5-methyluridine and pseudouridine, as the full-length tmRNA. Both RNAs fold into three stems, a D-analogue, a T-loop and a GAAA tetra-loop. 2D NMR analysis of the imino proton resonances of both RNAs allowed the assignment of the three stems and of a number of tertiary interactions. It shows the existence of interactions between the TPsiC-loop and the D-analogue, exhibiting a number of similarities and also differences with the canonical tRNA fold, indicating that RNA tertiary interactions can be modulated according to the sequence and secondary structure contexts. Furthermore, the E.coli minimalist RNA is aminoacylatable with alanine with a catalytic efficiency an order of magnitude higher than that for full-length tmRNA
Bayesian Identification of Elastic Constants in Multi-Directional Laminate from Moiré Interferometry Displacement Fields

International audienceThe ply elastic constants needed for classical lamination theory analysis of multi-directional laminates may differ from those obtained from unidirectional laminates because of three dimensional effects. In addition, the unidirectional laminates may not be available for testing. In such cases, full-field displacement measurements offer the potential of identifying several material properties simultaneously. For that, it is desirable to create complex displacement fields that are strongly influenced by all the elastic constants. In this work, we explore the potential of using a laminated plate with an open-hole under traction loading to achieve that and identify all four ply elastic constants (E 1 , E 2 , ν 12 , G 12 ) at once. However, the accuracy of the identified properties may not be as good as properties measured from individual tests due to the complexity of the experiment, the relative insensitivity of the measured quantities to some of the properties and the various possible sources of uncertainty. It is thus important to quantify the uncertainty (or confidence) with which these properties are identified. Here, Bayesian identification is used for this purpose, because it can readily model all the uncertainties in the analysis and measurements, and because it provides the full coupled probability distribution of the identified material properties. In addition, it offers the potential to combine properties identified based on substantially different experiments. The full-field measurement is obtained by moiré interferometry. For computational efficiency the Bayesian approach was applied to a proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) of the displacement fields. The analysis showed that the four orthotropic elastic constants are determined with quite different confidence levels as well as with significant correlation. Comparison with manufacturing specifications showed substantial difference in one constant, and this conclusion agreed with earlier measurement of that constant by a traditional four-point bending test. It is possible that the POD approach did not take full advantage of the copious data provided by the full field measurements, and for that reason that data is provided for others to use (as on line material attached to the article)
Stock Exchange Mergers and Market

International audienceThe aim of this article is to examine the impact of stock exchange mergers on the degree of informational efficiency. For this purpose, we apply the generalized spectral shape test for the martingale difference hypothesis to the stock returns before and after the 31 domestic and crossborder mergers completed from 1997 to 2011. The test is conducted with moving subsample windows, allowing us to detect the periods of (in)efficiency, and thus to conduct a comparative analysis for pre-merger and post-merger periods. We find that higher levels of efficiency are less frequent than lower levels of efficiency after a stock exchange merger. We also find that the impact on the level of efficiency depends on a range of merger characteristics such as the level of development, size, geographical diversification and industrial diversification of stock exchang
Linear Regression in High Dimension and/or for Correlated Inputs

International audienceOrdinary least square is the common way to estimate linear regression models. When inputs are correlated or when they are too numerous, regression methods using derived inputs directions or shrinkage methods can be efficient alternatives. Methods using derived inputs directions build new uncorrelated variables as linear combination of the initial inputs, whereas shrinkage methods introduce regularization and variable selection by penalizing the usual least square criterion. Both kinds of methods are presented and illustrated thanks to the R software on an astronomical dataset
The influence of infant-directed speech on 12-month-olds’ intersensory perception of fluent speech

International audienceThe present study examined whether infant-directed (ID) speech facilitates intersensory matching of audio–visual fluent speech in 12-month-old infants. German-learning infants’ audio–visual matching ability of German and French fluent speech was assessed by using a variant of the intermodal matching procedure, with auditory and visual speech information presented sequentially. In Experiment 1, the sentences were spoken in an adult-directed (AD) manner. Results showed that 12-month-old infants did not exhibit a matching performance for the native, nor for the non-native language. However, Experiment 2 revealed that when ID speech stimuli were used, infants did perceive the relation between auditory and visual speech attributes, but only in response to their native language. Thus, the findings suggest that ID speech might have an influence on the intersensory perception of fluent speech and shed further light on multisensory perceptual narrowing
Discovery of superoxide reductase: an historical perspective.

International audienceFor more than 30 years, the only enzymatic system known to catalyze the elimination of superoxide was superoxide dismutase, SOD. SOD has been found in almost all organisms living in the presence of oxygen, including some anaerobic bacteria, supporting the notion that superoxide is a key and general component of oxidative stress. Recently, a new concept in the field of the mechanisms of cellular defense against superoxide has emerged. It was discovered that elimination of superoxide in some anaerobic and microaerophilic bacteria could occur by reduction, a reaction catalyzed by a small metalloenzyme thus named superoxide reductase, SOR. Having played a major role in this discovery, we describe here how the concept of superoxide reduction emerged and how it was experimentally substantiated independently in our laboratory
Liaison acquisition: debates, critical issues, future research

International audienceLiaison is a sandhi phenomenon in French. Over the last four decades, it has given rise to many different models illustrating the whole range of phonological theories. More recently, new studies have documented its acquisition in French-speaking children as well as adult learners of French as a second language. These studies have resulted in the elaboration of two models of the acquisition process: 1/ the constructionist model (Chevrot, Dugua & Fayol, 2009; Nicoladis & Paradis, 2011) developed within the framework of the usage-based theories; 2/ the phonological model (Wauquier, 2009) which represents the framework of nonlinear phonology. Our aim is to re-examine the usage-based model in the light of the criticisms and suggestions made by Wauquier (2009). We shall first present the two models and then examine the issues under discussion. After that, we shall present longitudinal data testing a prediction made by the phonological model with regard to the generalization process in L1 and L2 acquisition. To conclude, we shall identify the points that remain to be clarified for each of the models and the directions which future research should take
Rethinking disability: Lessons from the past, questions for the future. Contributions and limits of the social model, the sociology of science and technology, and the ethics of care

International audienceIn this article, I analyze one evolution in disability research over the past 30 years: the shift from an individual to a social approach to disability. While most disability research has currently “socialized” disability or at the least situates disabled people within a social context, not all do so in the same way nor based on the same assumptions. They lead to different concepts of the person and society and different concepts of disability and normalcy. I analyze this evolution by looking at three approaches to disability: the social model, the approach taken in the sociology of science and technology, and the ethics of care. I show how each, by renewing the analysis of disability, has brought about changes for disabled people and transformed ways of “living together” and “making society.” I also show the limits of these approaches and propose lines of thought for the continuation of our research, notably around the question of autonomy. I propose that we re-think autonomy from the standpoint of the notion of “recalcitrance”
Democracy for Polarized Committees: The Tale of Blotto's Lieutenants

Ce Working Paper fait l'objet d'une publication in Games and Economic Behavior (2017), 106: 239-259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geb.2017.10.009. <hal-01680728, v1>In a polarized committee, majority voting disenfranchises the minority. By allowing voters to spend freely a fixed budget of votes over multiple issues, Storable Votes restores some minority power. We study a model of Storable Votes that highlights the hide-and-seek nature of the strategic game. With communication, the game replicates a classic Colonel Blotto game with asymmetric forces. We call the game without communication a decentralized Blotto game. We characterize theoretical results for this case and test both versions of the game in the laboratory.  We find that, despite subjects deviating from equilibrium strategies, the minority wins as frequently as theory predicts. Because subjects understand the logic of the game – minority voters must concentrate votes unpredictably – the exact choices are of secondary importance. The result is an endorsement of the robustness of the voting rule
Analytical Predictions for a Natural Spacing within Dyke Swarms

International audienceDykes often grow next to other dykes, evidenced by the widespread occurrence of dyke swarms that comprise many closely-spaced dykes. In giant dyke swarms, dykes are observed to maintain a finite spacing from their neighbors that is tens to hundreds of times smaller than their length. To date, mechanical models have not been able to clarify whether there exists an optimum, or natural spacing between the dykes. And yet, the existence of a natural spacing is at the heart of why dykes grow in swarms in the first place. Here we present and examine a mechanical model for the horizontal propagation of multiple, closely-spaced blade-like dykes in order to find energetically optimal dyke spacings associated with both constant pressure and constant influx magma sources. We show that the constant pressure source leads to an optimal spacing that is equal to the height of the blade-like dykes. We also show that the constant influx source leads to two candidates for an optimal spacing, one which is expected to be around 0.3 times the dyke height and the other which is expected to be around 2.5 times the dyke height. Comparison with measurements from dyke swarms in Iceland and Canada lend initial support to our predictions, and we conclude that dyke swarms are indeed expected to have a natural spacing between first generation dykes and that this spacing scales with, and is on the order of, the height of the blade-like dykes that comprise the swarm
Cell polarisation model : the 1D case

25 pagesInternational audienceWe study the dynamics of a one-dimensional non-linear and non-local drift-diffusion equation set in the half-line, with the coupling involving the trace value on the boundary. The initial mass M of the density determines the behaviour of the equation: attraction to self similar profile, to a steady state of finite time blow up for supercritical mass. Using the logarithmic Sobolev and the HWI inequalities we obtain a rate of convergence for the cases subcritical and critical mass. Moreover, we prove a comparison principle on the equation obtained after space integration. This concentration-comparison principle allows proving blow-up of solutions for large initial data without any monotonicity assumption on the initial data
Nerve Agent Sensors Sub-ppm Detection of Nerve Agents Using Chemically Functionalized Silicon Nanoribbon Field-Effect Transistors**

International audienceOrganophosphorus compounds (OPs) represent one of the most important and lethal classes of chemical warfare agents (e.g. sarin, tabun, soman). Highly active volatile OPs are powerful inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase, which is a critical enzyme of the nervous system. [1] The ease of manufacturing OPs based on inexpensive starting materials makes these agents a weapon of choice for terrorist attacks. [2] Thus, the rapid sensing of these nerve agents has recently become an increasingly important research goal. Various approaches have been reported for the detection of these chemical warfare agents including colorimetric and fluorimetric spec-troscopies, [3] enzymatic assays, [4] piezoelectric devices, [5] single-walled carbon nanotube resistors [6] and capacitors. [7] However, these systems are plagued by limitations such as slow response time, moderate selectivity, operational complexity , or limited portability. Field-effect transistors (FET) based on nanomaterials such as semiconducting nanowires, nanoribbons, or carbon nanotubes have been recently explored for chemical and biological detection. [8] Their high effectiveness is mainly ascribed to an extreme sensitivity to electrostatic changes at the surface of the semiconductor and/or modifications of the Schottky barrier at the semiconductor/metal interface. A charge generation in the vicinity of the semiconductor of a FET is known to alter the electrical properties of the device. [9
On the structure of Ge–As–Te–Cu glasses

International audienceShort range order in glassy 0.9(Ge0.1As0.15Te0.75)–0.1Cu (GATC1) and 0.9(Ge0.05As0.55Te0.4)–0.1Cu (GATC2) was studied by neutron- and X-ray diffraction as well as EXAFS (extended X-ray absorption fine structure) measurements at the K-edges of all components. The reverse Monte Carlo simulation technique was used to create models consistent with all experimental datasets. It was found that Cu binds predominantly to Te in GATC1 while Cu–As and Cu–Cu bonding is also significant in GATC2. Ge and As atoms have 4 and 3 Ge/As/Te neighbors in both compositions. In GATC1 the formation of ‘extra’ Te–Te bonds can be observed, similarly to GeTe4–AgI glasse
Defects and strain enhancements of second-harmonic generation in Si/Ge superlattices

International audienceStarting from experimental findings and interface growth problems in Si/Ge superlattices, we have investigated through ab initio methods the concurrent and competitive behavior of strain and defects in the second-harmonic generation process. Interpreting the second-harmonic intensities as a function of the different nature and percentage of defects together with the strain induced at the interface between Si and Ge, we found a way to tune and enhance the second-harmonic generation response of these systems. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC
Dielectric characteristic of nanocrystalline Na0.5K0.5NbO3 ceramic green body

International audienceDielectric spectroscopy was applied to porous nanocrystalline Na0.5K0.5NbO3 (NKN) ceramic green body, wherein influences of percolation effect and water adsorption at pore surface of the ceramic green body on dielectric response were examined over wide temperature (150 to 450 K) and frequency (100 Hz to 1 MHz) ranges. Dielectric permittivity of the ceramic green body is about 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than that of pure NKN powder or NKN ceramic. Furthermore, the high dielectric permittivity and high humidity sensitivity of the ceramic green body can appear again with aging a period of time in air. The data from this investigation make potential applications for NKN as a giant dielectric material or a humidity sensing material
Dew, fog, and rain as supplementary sources of water in south-western Morocco

International audienceThis study reports on one year (May 1, 2007 - April 30, 2008) of dew, fog and rain measurements carried out in the dryland area of Mirleft, Morocco in order to be used as alternative or supplemental sources of water. Four standard dew condensers and a passive fog net collector of 1 m² surfaces were used. Meteorological data were collected. 178 dew events (18.85 mm), 31 rain events (48.65 mm) and 7 significant fog episodes (1.41 mm) occurred, corresponding to almost 40% of the yearly rain contribution (48.65 mm, 31 events). Chemical and biological analyses were carried out. Dew and rain pH were neutral (close to 7) and the total mineralization was considerable (dew: 560 mg/L; rain: 230 mg/L). Ca²+, K+, SO42- and NO3- are found of continental origin; Cl-, Na+ and Mg2+ are of sea origin. The ions concentration agrees with the World Health Organization recommendations for potable water. The biological analysis shows harmless vegetal spores and little contamination by animal/human bacteria. A cost analysis shows that, with little investment, the population of the arid and semi-arid coastal areas of south-western north Africa could make dew water an interesting supplementary alternative water resource
Caesium-137 in sandy sediments of the River Loire (France): Assessment of an alluvial island evolving over the last 50 years

International audienceRecent sedimentological and morphological evolution of an island in the River Loire (France) was investigated using the 137Cs method. This study describes the morphological adjustment of the island in the last 50 years, which corresponds to the increased bed incision of this sandy, multiple-channel environment because of, among other things, the increase in sediment extraction up to 1995. The results show that some 137Cs can be retained by sandy particles, potentially in clay minerals forming weathering features included in detrital sand grains. From a morphological perspective, significant lateral erosion can be observed in the upstream part of the island, while a weak lateral accretion occurs in its downstream section. Data about 137Cs and aerial photographs show that the morphology of the island margins has undergone significant changes leading to a lateral migration, while the centre of the island has remained relatively stable or is slowly eroding. The migration of the island depends on: (1) the withdrawal of inherited preincision morphological units, such as levees, or the development of new units, such as a channel shelf; (2) water and sediment supply from surrounding channels during flood events; (3) preferential sediment trapping (20 mm year− 1) from the presence of riparian vegetation on the bank of the secondary channel that is subject to narrowing. The sedimentological and morphological response of the island in the context of incision of the Loire river bed is expressed mainly by lateral migration and secondarily by a low vertical adjustment