pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Doped TiO2 aerogels as alternative catalyst supports for proton exchange membrane fuel cells: A comparative study of Nb, V and Ta dopants

International audienceNb, Ta and V-doped TiO2 aerogels and xerogels have been synthesized as possible new alternatives to carbon blacks for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells catalyst supports. A comparative study of different dopants was realized in a single study. Nb, Ta and V showed different behaviors with respect to the final material structure and morphology, composition and electronic conductivity. They are all prone to surface segregation, to different extents. V-doped TiO2 apart, the rutile structure could only be obtained after calcination in a reducing atmosphere at 800 °C for Nb or Ta-doped TiO2. The electronic conductivity exhibited a maximum at 10 at.% for Nb and Ta, 5 at.% for V. Nb revealed to be the most appropriate dopant to increase the electronic conductivity of TiO2, followed by Ta and V. 4 to 5 orders of magnitude were gained after Nb doping for xerogels conductivity to reach almost 0.1 S cm−1. The role of point defects was discussed to account for phase transition and evolution of conductivity
Gap interpolation by inpainting methods: Application to ground and space-based asteroseismic data

International audienceIn asteroseismology, the observed time series often suffers from incomplete time coverage due to gaps. The presence of periodic gaps may generate spurious peaks in the power spectrum that limit the analysis of the data. Various methods have been developed to deal with gaps in time series data. However, it is still important to improve these methods to be able to extract all the possible information contained in the data. In this paper, we propose a new approach to handling the problem, the so-called inpainting method. This technique, based on a prior condition of sparsity, enables the gaps in the data to be judiciously fill-in thereby preserving the asteroseismic signal as far as possible. The impact of the observational window function is reduced and the interpretation of the power spectrum simplified. This method is applied on both ground- and space-based data. It appears that the inpainting technique improves the detection and estimation of the oscillation modes. Additionally, it can be used to study very long time series of many stars because it is very fast to compute. For a time series of 50 days of CoRoT-like data, it allows a speed-up factor of 1000, if compared to methods with the same accuracy
Rationalising a volcanic crisis through literature: Montserratian verse and the descriptive reconstruction of an island

International audienceThis article discusses a selection of the literary output provoked and inspired by the eruption of Soufrière Hills Volcano on Montserrat - notably poetry and prose written by Montserratians affected by the disaster. It argues that literature can be a source of local knowledge, and a window into a culture that is seeking to deal with a tragedy. It can also be used to assess outreach efforts and to investigate the impact of volcanic events - and of volcanological information - on local populations. The texts describe the process by which Montserratians moved from bewilderment and denial to renewal and re-identification, and even pride in the volcanic activity and their own ability to live with it - and to help prepare other Caribbean islands for future volcanic events. Literature looks both backwards and forwards, communicating the acts of experiencing and changing. On Montserrat, that applies both to colonialism and the role of the UK in Montserrat's political, economic and social life, and also to the importance of learning volcanology, and welcoming volcanologists, as a means of survival
The Calcineurin Antagonist, RCAN1-4 is Induced by Exhaustive Exercise in Rat Skeletal Muscle

International audienceAim The aim of this work was to study regulation of the calcineurin antagonist, Regulator of Calcineurin1 protein (RCAN1), in rat skeletal muscles following exhaustive physical exercise, which is a physiological modulator of oxidative stress. Results Three skeletal muscles, namely Extensor Digitorum Longus (EDL), gastrocnemius, and soleus were investigated. Exhaustive exercise increased RCAN1-4 protein levels in EDL and gastrocnemius, but not in soleus. Protein oxidation as an index of oxidative stress was increased in EDL and gastrocnemius, but remained unchanged in soleus. However lipid peroxidation was increased in all three muscles. CuZnSOD and catalase protein levels were increased at 3Hr post exercise in soleus, while they remained unchanged in EDL and gastrocnemius. Calcineurin enzymatic activity declined in EDL and gastrocnemius but not in soleus, and its protein expression was decreased in all three muscles. The level of PGC1-α protein remained unchanged whereas the protein expression of transcription factor NFATc4 was decreased in all three muscles. Adiponectin expression was increased in all three muscles. Conclusion RCAN1-4 expression in EDL and gastrocnemius muscles was augmented by the oxidative stress generated from exhaustive exercise. We propose that increased RCAN1-4 expression, and the signal transduction pathways it regulates, represent important components of the physiological adaptation to exercise-induced oxidative stres
Bayesian Network Structure Learning from Limited Datasets through Graph Evolution

International audienceBayesian networks are stochastic models, widely adopted to encode knowledge in several fields. One of the most interesting features of a Bayesian network is the possibility of learning its structure from a set of data, and subsequently use the resulting model to perform new predictions. Structure learning for such models is a NP-hard problem, for which the scientific community developed two main approaches: score-and-search metaheuristics, often evolutionary-based, and dependency-analysis deterministic algorithms, based on stochastic tests. State-of-the-art solutions have been presented in both domains, but all methodologies start from the assumption of having access to large sets of learning data available, often numbering thousands of samples. This is not the case for many real-world applications, especially in the food processing and research industry. This paper proposes an evolutionary approach to the Bayesian structure learning problem, specifically tailored for learning sets of limited size. Falling in the category of score-andsearch techniques, the methodology exploits an evolutionary algorithm able to work directly on graph structures, previously used for assembly language generation, and a scoring function based on the Akaike Information Criterion, a well-studied metric of stochastic model performance. Experimental results show that the approach is able to outperform a state-of-the-art dependency-analysis algorithm, providing better models for small datasets
Improved Interface conditions for 2D domain decomposition with corners: Numerical applications

This article deals with a local improvement of domain decomposition methods for 2-dimensional elliptic problems for which either the geometry or the domain decomposition presents conical singularities. After explaining the main results of the theoreticalanalysis carried out in a former artilce, the numerical experiments presented in this article confirm the optimality properties of the new interface conditions. A MODIFIED VERSION OF THIS PREPRINT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC COMPUTIN
Tidal effects on stratospheric temperature series derived from successive advanced microwave sounding units

International audienceStratospheric temperature series derived from the Advanced Microvave Sounding Unit on board successive NOAA satellites reveal during periods of overlap some bias and drifts. Part of the reason for these discrepancies could be associated with atmospheric tides as the orbits of these satellites drifted, inducing large changes in the actual time of measurements. NOAA 15 and 16, which exhibit a long period of overlap, allow deriving diurnal tides that can correct such temperature drifts. The characteristics of the derived diurnal tides during summer periods is in good agreement with those calculated with the Global Scale Wave model, indicating that most of the observed drifts is likely due to the atmospheric tides. Cooling can be biased by a factor of 2, if time of measurements are not considered. When diurnal tides are considered trends derived with temperature lidar series are in good agreement with AMSU series. Future adjustments of temperature time series based on successive AMSU instruments will require to consider corrections associated with the local time of measurements
Volatility persistence in crude oil markets

International audienceFinancial market participants and policy-makers can benefit from a better understanding of how shocks can affect volatility over time. This study assesses the impact of structural changes and outliers on volatility persistence of three crude oil markets - Brent, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) - between January 2, 1985 and June 17, 2011. We identify outliers using a new semi-parametric test based on conditional heteroscedasticity models. These large shocks can be associated with particular event patterns, such as the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, the Operation Desert Storm, the Operation Desert Fox, and the Global Financial Crisis as well as OPEC announcements on production reduction or US announcements on crude inventories. We show that outliers can bias (i) the estimates of the parameters of the equation governing volatility dynamics; (ii) the regularity and non-negativity conditions of GARCH-type models (GARCH, IGARCH, FIGARCH and HYGARCH); and (iii) the detection of structural breaks in volatility, and thus the estimation of the persistence of the volatility. Therefore, taking into account the outliers on the volatility modelling process may improve the understanding of volatility in crude oil markets
A Tissue-Level Electromechanical Model of the Left Ventricle: Application to the Analysis of Intraventricular Pressure.

International audienceThe ventricular pressure profile is characteristic of the cardiac contraction progress and is useful to evaluate the cardiac performance. In this contribution, a tissue-level electromechanical model of the left ventricle is proposed, to assist the interpretation of left ventricular pressure waveforms. The left ventricle has been modeled as an ellipsoid composed of twelve mechano-hydraulic sub-systems. The asynchronous contraction of these twelve myocardial segments has been represented in order to reproduce a realistic pressure profiles. To take into account the different energy domains involved, the tissue-level scale and to facilitate the building of a modular model, multiple formalisms have been used: Bond Graph formalism for the mechano-hydraulic aspects and cellular automata for the electrical activation. An experimental protocol has been defined to acquire ventricular pressure signals from three pigs, with different afterload conditions. Evolutionary Algorithms have been used to identify the model parameters in order to minimize the error between experimental and simulated ventricular pressure signals. Simulation results show that the model is able to reproduce experimental ventricular pressure. In addition, electro-mechanical activation times have been determined in the identification process. For example, the maximum electrical activation time is reached, respectively, 96.5, 139.3 and 131.5 ms for the first, second, and third pigs. These preliminary results are encouraging for the application of the model on non-invasive data like ECG, arterial pressure or myocardial strain
Geochronological and geochemical characterization of magmatic-hydrothermal events within the Southern Variscan external domain (Ce'vennes area, France)

International audienceGeochronological, mineralogical, and geochemical analyses have been focussed on the Mont-Loze're- Borne plutonic complex and surrounding rocks (Ce'vennes, French Massif Central) in which B-W-Sn and As-Au-Sb mineralization is encountered. Two main results are highlighted: (1) the existence of a 301-306 Ma magmatohydrothermal event unrelated to the emplacement of the Pont-de-Montvert-Borne plutonic body at 316 Ma; (2) the magmatic and hydrothermal features are strongly associated, both in time and in space, thus demonstrating an intimate connection between mineralizing processes and magmatism in this part of the French Massif Central. We also show that mineralization and associated hydrothermal occurrences do not correspond to a simple and single geochemical signature and that a contamination model must be invoked in order to account for the complexity of isotopic results. This study demonstrates that the application of the O and H isotopic signatures as tracers of the source and nature of fluids in an orogenic context requires some specific care. Finally, a model of the tectonic-magmatic- hydrothermal evolution of the study area is suggested in which we discuss two alternative scenarios. The first one implies the existence of two different hydrothermal/ mineralizing events (Bo-W-Sn and As-Au-Sb ones). The second one suggests the same source for all hydrothermal and mineralized structures
Catalytic generation of chlorine with slight overpotential by micellar ferrocene

Ferrocene solubilized with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) in aqueous KCl solution
	exhibited a well-defined voltammetric peak at 1.33 V vs. Ag|AgCl at a platinum
	electrode. The wave was attributed to the oxidation of chloride to chlorine,
	demonstrated by smell of chlorine, by a view of formation of gas bubbles, by coloration
	through the reaction with diethyl-p-phenylene diamine, and by the increase in the
	anodic current with the concentration of chloride. Since no wave was observed in the
	ferrocene-free solution or KCl-free solution in this potential domain, the reaction
	mechanism was suggested to be the oxidation of chloride into chlorine catalyzed by
	micellar ferrocene. The potential at the foot of the wave (1.08 V) was less positive that
	the standard potential of Cl2/Cl^-, and hence the reaction may be useful for enhancing the
	energetic efficiency at chlor-alkali industry. The value of the peak current was one-sixth
	the theoretical diffusion-controlled current, and was proportional to the square-root of
	the potential scan rate
A simple procedure to estimate reactivity with good noise filtering characteristics

A new and simple on-line reactivity estimation method is proposed. The estimator has robust noise filtering characteristics without the use of complex filters. The noise filtering capability is equivalent to or better than that of a conventional estimator based on Inverse Point Kinetics (IPK). The new estimator can also eliminate the burden of selecting optimum filter time constants, such as would be required for the IPK-based estimator, or noise covariance matrices, which are needed if the extended Kalman filter (EKF) technique is used. In this paper, the new estimation method is introduced and its performance assessed without and with measurement noise
Work-related allergy in medical doctors: atopy, exposure to domestic
	animals, eczema induced by common chemicals and membership of the
	surgical profession as potential risk factors.

Purpose To investigate the risk factors associated with
	work-related allergy-like symptoms in medical doctors.
	Methods Self-administered questionnaire survey and CAP
	test were conducted among medical school students in the
	4th grade of their 6-year medical course in 1993–1996 and
	1999–2001. Follow-up questionnaires were sent in 2004 to
	the graduates. These questionnaires enquired into personal
	and family history of allergic diseases, lifestyle, history of
	allergy-like symptoms including work-relatedness and
	occupational history as medical doctors. Relationships
	between allergy-like symptoms and relevant factors were
	evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.
	Results Of 261 respondents at the follow-up survey, 139
	(53.3%) and 54 (20.7%) had a history of any allergy-like
	symptoms and any work-related allergy-like symptoms,
	respectively. Female gender and family history of allergic
	diseases were signiWcantly associated with any allergy-like
	symptoms. Personal history of allergic disease, exposure
	to domestic animals, eczema caused by rubber gloves,
	metallic accessories, or cosmetics during schooling days,
	and membership of the surgical profession were signiW-
	cant risk factors for work-related allergy-like symptoms.
	On the contrary, to work-related allergy-like symptoms,
	gender, age, and smoking status were not signiWcantly
	related, and consumption of prepared foods was inversely
	related.
	Conclusions Personal history of atopy and eczema
	induced by common goods and the history of keeping
	domestic animals may be predictors of work-related
	allergy-like symptoms in doctors. After graduation from
	medical school, physicians start with exposure to various
	allergens and irritants at work, which relate to work-related
	allergy-like symptoms, especially for surgeons
Double pion photoproduction on the nucleon: Study of the isospin channels

A model for the gamma p ----> pion+ pion- p reaction developed earlier is extended to account for all isospin channels. The model includes N, Delta(1232), N^*(1440) and N^*(1520) as intermediate baryonic states and the rho-meson as an intermediate two pion resonance. Although many terms contribute to the cross section, some channels exhibit particular sensitivity to certain mechanisms of resonance excitation or decay and the reactions provide novel information on such mechanisms. In particular the gamma N ----> N^*(1520) ----> Delta(1232) pion process affects all the channels and is a key ingredient in the interpretation of the data. Comparison is made with all available data and the agreement is good in some channels. The remaining discrepancies in some other channels are discussed
Pixel-level APS Sensor Integration and Sensitivity Scaling for Vision Based Speed Measurement

Abstract A dual-pixel APS sensor architecture is proposed in this paper, for vision based speed measurement applications, based on a novel double exposure method. The sensor integrates two type of imaging elements on pixel level, and is designed to generate two spatially and temporally coherent images. The primary sensor generates a good quality image for vehicle identification, while the output of the secondary sensor is used to calculate speed estimates, based on the intra-frame displacement of the vehicle's headlight. A scaling process has also been developed for the sensitivity of the secondary sensor, based on photodiode parasitic capacitor discharge time
Quantifying the acute changes in glucose with exercise in type 1 Diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The acute impact of different types of physical activity on glycemic control in type 1 diabetes has not been well quantified. Objectives Our objective was to estimate the rate of change (RoC) in glucose concentration induced acutely during the performance of structured exercise and at recovery in subjects with type 1 diabetes. Methods We searched for original articles in the PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. Search terms included type 1 diabetes, blood glucose, physical activity, and exercise. Eligible studies (randomized controlled trials and non-randomized experiments) encompassed controlled physical activity sessions (continuous moderate [CONT], intermittent high intensity [IHE], resistance [RESIST
Characterization of transient noise in Advanced LIGO relevant to gravitational wave signal GW150914

On 14 September 2015, a gravitational wave signal from a coalescing black hole binary system was observed by the Advanced LIGO detectors. This paper describes the transient noise backgrounds used to determine the significance of the event (designated GW150914) and presents the results of investigations into potential correlated or uncorrelated sources of transient noise in the detectors around the time of the event. The detectors were operating nominally at the time of GW150914. We have ruled out environmental influences and non-Gaussian instrument noise at either LIGO detector as the cause of the observed gravitational wave signal
When do Acquirers Invest in the R&D Assets of Acquired Science-based Firms in Cross-border Acquisitions? The Role of Technology and Capabilities Similarity and Complementarity

Drawing on a multiple case study of acquisitions of UK biopharmaceutical firms, we develop an analytical framework that elucidates how key determinants of the knowledge base of science-based firms and their combinations through M&As interact and affect post-acquisition investment in the target’s R&D projects. We show that two factors — the complementarity/similarity of the technology, and the complementarity/similarity of the discovery and development capabilities of the target and acquiring firm — interact to produce different outcomes in terms of investment in the acquired firm’s R&D assets and for the local science and technology system
In-situ GaN decomposition analysis by quadrupole mass spectrometry and reflection high-energy electron diffraction

Thermal decomposition of wurtzite (0001)-oriented GaN was analyzed: in vacuum, under active N exposure, and during growth by rf plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The GaN decomposition rate was determined by measurements of the Ga desorption using in situ quadrupole mass spectrometry, which showed Arrhenius behavior with an apparent activation energy of 3.1 eV. Clear signatures of intensity oscillations during reflection high-energy electron diffraction measurements facilitated complementary evaluation of the decomposition rate and highlighted a layer-by-layer decomposition mode in vacuum. Exposure to active nitrogen, either under vacuum or during growth under N-rich growth conditions, strongly reduced the GaN losses due to GaN decomposition
A review of statistical models for the break-up of an immiscible fluid immersed into a fully developed turbulent flow

We consider the statistical description of the break-up of an immiscible fluid lump immersed into a fully developed turbulent flow. We focus on systems where there is no relative velocity between the continuous and dispersed phases. In this case, particle fragmentation is caused only by turbulent velocity fluctuations. The most relevant models proposed for the particle break-up frequency and for the shape of the daughter particle size distribution are reviewed. Their predictions are compared to recent experimental data, obtained for the break-up of an air cavity immersed into a high Reynolds number, turbulent water jet. Models based on purely kinematic arguments show the best agreement with the experimental data