pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Hamilton-Jacobi equations on networks as limits of singularly perturbed problems in optimal control: dimension reduction

We consider a family of open star-shaped domains made of a finite number of non intersecting semi-infinite strips of small thickness and of a central region whose diameter is of the same order of thickness, that may be called the junction. When the thickness tends to 0, the domains tend to a union of half-lines sharing an endpoint. This set is termed "network". We study infinite horizon optimal control problems in which the state is constrained to remain in the star-shaped domains. In the above mentioned strips the running cost may have a fast variation w.r.t. the transverse coordinate. When the thickness tends to 0 we prove that the value function tends to the solution of a Hamilton-Jacobi equation on the network, which may also be related to an optimal control problem. One difficulty is to find the transmission condition at the junction node in the limit problem. For passing to the limit, we use the method of the perturbed test-functions of Evans, which requires constructing suitable correctors. This is another difficulty since the domain is unbounded
Atlas-Based Reduced Models of Blood Flows for Fast Patient-Specific Simulations

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com.International audienceModel-based interpretation of the complex clinical data now available (shape, motion, flow) can provide quantitative information for diagnosis as well as predictions. However such models can be extremely time consuming, which does not always fit with the clinical time constraints. The aim of this work is to propose a model reduction technique to perform faster patient-specific simulations with prior knowledge built from simulations on an average anatomy. Rather than simulating a full fluid problem on individual patients, we create a representative `template' of the artery shape. A full flow simulation is carried out only on this template, and a reduced model is built from the results. Then this reduced model can be transported to the individual geometries, allowing faster computational analysis. % Here we propose a preliminary validation of this idea. A well-posed framework based on currents representation of shapes is used to create an unbiased template of the pulmonary artery for 4 patients with Tetralogy of Fallot. Then, a reduced computational fluid dynamics model is built on this template. Finally, we demonstrate that this reduced model can represent a specific patient simulation
An edge-on translucent dust disk around the nearest AGB star L2 Puppis - VLT/NACO spectro-imaging from 1.04 to 4.05 microns and VLTI interferometry

16 pages, 15 figuresInternational audienceAs the nearest known AGB star (d=64pc) and one of the brightest (mK~-2), L2 Pup is a particularly interesting benchmark object to monitor the final stages of stellar evolution. We report new lucky imaging observations of this star with the VLT/NACO adaptive optics system in twelve narrow band filters covering the 1.0-4.0 microns wavelength range. These diffraction limited images reveal an extended circumstellar dust lane in front of the star, that exhibits a high opacity in the J band and becomes translucent in the H and K bands. In the L band, extended thermal emission from the dust is detected. We reproduce these observations using Monte-Carlo radiative transfer modeling of a dust disk with the RADMC-3D code. We also present new interferometric observations with the VLTI/VINCI and MIDI instruments. We measure in the K band an upper limit to the limb-darkened angular diameter of theta_LD = 17.9 +/- 1.6 mas, converting to a maximum linear radius of R = 123 +/- 14 Rsun. Considering the geometry of the extended K band emission in the NACO images, this upper limit is probably close to the actual angular diameter of the star. The position of L2 Pup in the Herzsprung-Russell diagram indicates that this star has a mass around 2 Msun and is probably experiencing an early stage of the asymptotic giant branch. We do not detect any stellar companion of L2 Pup in our adaptive optics and interferometric observations, and we attribute its apparent astrometric wobble in the Hipparcos data to variable lighting effects on its circumstellar material. We however do not exclude the presence of a binary companion, as the large loop structure extending to more than 10 AU to the North-East of the disk in our L band images may be the result of interaction between the stellar wind of L2 Pup and a hidden secondary object. The geometric configuration that we propose, with a large dust disk seen almost edge-on, appears particularly favorable to test and develop our understanding of the formation of bipolar nebulae
High-energy gamma-ray and neutrino backgrounds from clusters of          galaxies and radio constraints

International audienceCosmic-ray protons accumulate for cosmological times in clusters of galaxies because          their typical radiative and diffusive escape times are longer than the Hubble time. Their          hadronic interactions with protons of the intra-cluster medium generate secondary          electrons, gamma rays, and neutrinos. In light of the high-energy neutrino events recently          discovered by the IceCube neutrino observatory, for which galaxy clusters have been          suggested as possible sources, and the forthcoming results from the Fermi          gamma-ray survey, we here estimate the contribution from galaxy clusters to the          diffuse gamma-ray and neutrino backgrounds. We modelled the cluster population by means of          their mass function, using a phenomenological luminosity-mass relation applied to all          clusters, as well as a detailed semi-analytical model. In the latter model, we divide          clusters into cool-core/non-cool-core, and loud/quiet subsamples, as suggested by          observations, and model the cosmic-ray proton population according to state-of-the-art          hydrodynamic numerical simulations. Additionally, we consider observationally-motivated          values for the cluster magnetic field. This is a crucial parameter since the observed          radio counts of clusters need to be respected owing to synchrotron emission by secondary          electrons. For a choice of parameters respecting current constraints from radio to gamma          rays, and assuming a proton spectral index of −2, we find that hadronic interactions in clusters contribute less          than 10% to the IceCube flux and much less to the total extragalactic gamma-ray background          observed by Fermi. They account for less than 1% for spectral indices            ≤–2. The high-energy          neutrino flux observed by IceCube can be reproduced without violating radio constraints          only if a very hard (and speculative) spectral index >–2 is adopted.          However, this scenario is in tension with the high-energy IceCube data, which seems to          suggest a spectral energy distribution of the neutrino flux that decreases with the          particle energy. We prove that IceCube should be able to test our most optimistic          scenarios for spectral indices ≥–2.2 by stacking a few nearby massive galaxy clusters. In the case of          proton-photon interactions in clusters, we find that very likely protons do not reach          sufficiently high energies to produce neutrinos in these environments. We argue that our          results are optimistic because of our assumptions and that clusters of galaxies cannot          make any relevant contribution to the extragalactic gamma-ray and neutrino backgrounds in          any realistic scenario. Finally, we find that the cluster contribution to the angular          fluctuations in the gamma-ray background is subdominant, less than 10% on sub-degree          scales
Interplay between functional connectivity and scale-free dynamics in intrinsic fMRI networks

International audienceStudies employing functional connectivity-type analyses have established that sponta-neous fluctuations in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals are orga-nized within large-scale brain networks. Meanwhile, fMRI signals have been shown to exhibit 1/f-type power spectra – a hallmark of scale-free dynamics. We studied the interplay between functional connectivity and scale-free dynamics in fMRI signals, utilizing the fractal connectivity framework – a multivariate extension of the univari-ate fractional Gaussian noise model, which relies on a wavelet formulation for robust parameter estimation. We applied this framework to fMRI data acquired from healthy young adults at rest and performing a visual detection task. First, we found that scale-invariance existed beyond univariate dynamics, being present also in bivariate cross-temporal dynamics. Second, we observed that frequencies within the scale-free range do not contribute evenly to inter-regional connectivity, with a systematically stronger contribution of the lowest frequencies, both at rest and during task. Third, in addition to a decrease of the Hurst exponent and inter-regional correlations, task performance modified cross-temporal dynamics, inducing a larger contribution of the highest fre-quencies within the scale-free range to global correlation. Lastly, we found that across individuals, a weaker task modulation of the frequency contribution to inter-regional Rev.#1, Q
Onset of collectivity in neutron-rich Fe isotopes: Toward a new island of inversion?

Expérience GANIL, VAMOS, EXOGAMThe lifetimes of the first excited 2+ states in 62Fe and 64Fe have been measured for the first time using the recoil-distance Doppler shift method after multinucleon transfer reactions in inverse kinematics. A sudden increase of collectivity from 62Fe to 64Fe is observed. The experimental results are compared with new largescale shell-model calculations and Hartree-Fock-Bogolyubov–based configuration-mixing calculations using the Gogny D1S interaction. The results give a deeper understanding of the mechanism leading to an onset of collectivity near 68Ni, which is compared with the situation in the so-called island of inversion around 32Mg
MPEG Reconfigurable Video Coding

WOS - ISBN: 978-1-4419-6344-4The currentmonolithic and lengthy scheme behind the standardization and the design of new video coding standards is becoming inappropriate to satisfy the dynamism and changing needs of the video coding community. Such a scheme and specification formalism do not enable designers to exploit the clear commonalities between the different codecs, neither at the level of the specification nor at the level of the implementation. Such a problem is one of the main reasons for the typical long time interval elapsing between the time a new idea is validated until it is implemented in consumer products as part of a worldwide standard. The analysis of this problem originated a new standard initiative within the ISO/IEC MPEG committee, called Reconfigurable Video Coding (RVC). The main idea is to develop a video coding standard that overcomes many shortcomings of the current standardization and specification process by updating and progressively incrementing a modular library of components. As the name implies, flexibility and reconfigurability are new attractive features of the RVC standard. The RVC framework is based on the usage of a new actor/dataflow oriented language called CAL for the specification of the standard library and the instantiation of the RVC decoder model. CAL dataflow models expose the intrinsic concurrency of the algorithms by employing the notions of actor programming and dataflow. This chapter gives an overview of the concepts and technologies building the standard RVC framework and the non standard tools supporting the RVC model from the instantiation and simulation of the CAL model to the software and/or hardware code synthesis
Supporting Decision Making for Sustainable Nanotechnology

Understanding how stakeholders manage risks associated with nanomaterials is a key input to the design of strategies and tools to achieve safe and sustainable nanomanufacturing. The paper presents some results of a study aiming firstly to inform the development of a software decision support tool. Further, we seek also to understand existing tools used by stakeholders as a source of capabilities and potential adaptation into decision support framework and tools. Central research questions of this study are: How is collective decision-making on risk management and sustainable nanomaterials organised? Which aspects are taken into account in this collective decision-making? And what role can a decision support tool play in such decision-making? The paper analyses 13 responses to a questionnaire survey held among participants in a meeting in October 2013 and a series of 27 semi-structured telephone interviews conducted from January until April 2014 with decision-makers from mainly European industry and regulators involved in risk management and sustainable manufacturing of nanomaterials. Findings from the study on the social organisation of collective decision-making, aspects taken into account in decisions and potential role of decision support tools are presented
Speciation analysis of iodine and bromine at picogram-per-gram levels in polar ice

Iodine and bromine species participate in key atmospheric reactions including the formation of cloud con- densation nuclei and ozone depletion. We present a novel method coupling a high-performance liquid chromatogra- phy with ion chromatography and inductively coupled plas- ma mass spectrometry, which allows the determination of iodine (I) and bromine (Br) species (IO3−, I−, Br−, BrO3−) at the picogram-per-gram levels presents in Antarctic ice. Chromatographic separation was achieved using an ION- PAC® AS16 Analytical Column with NaOH as eluent. Detection limits for I and Br species were 5 to 9 pg g−1 with an uncertainty of less than 2.5% for all considered species. Inorganic iodine and bromine species have been determined in Antarctic ice core samples, with concentrations close to the detection limits for iodine species, and approximately 150 pg g−1 for Br−. Although iodate (IO3−) is the most abundant iodine species in the atmosphere, only the much rarer iodide (I−) species was present in Antarctic Holocene ice. Bromine was found to be present in Antarctic ice as Br−
Silicon nanocrystal-based photosensor on low-temperature polycrystalline-silicon panels

[[abstract]]A photodetector, comprising a layer of silicon nanocrystals that is sandwiched between two electrodes, is proposed and demonstrated in a photosensing application on low-temperature polysilicon panels. Laser annealing of silicon-rich oxide films can form nanocrystals that respond optimally to a certain absorption spectrum of a light source. These silicon nanocrystals are smaller than 10 nm in diameter, which size determines the effectiveness of their quantum confinement, and promote electron-hole pair generation in the photosensing region because of their direct band gap. Besides obtaining a photosensitivity that is comparable to that of a p-i-n diode, which is currently used in low-temperature polysilicon technology, the sensor maximizes the photosensing area of a pixel by its stacked structure.[[fileno]]2030131010009[[department]]電機工程學
Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease have elevated fibroblast growth factor 23 levels and a renal leak of phosphate

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and parathyroid hormone blood levels rise following progressive loss of renal function. Here we measured parameters of phosphate metabolism in 100 patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in stage 1 or 2 of chronic kidney disease, 20 patients with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease, and 26 with type 2 diabetes. Twenty healthy volunteers served as controls. The mean levels of FGF23 were significantly (4-fold) higher in ADPKD compared to non-diabetic and diabetic patients, and healthy volunteers. Mean serum phosphate levels were significantly lower in ADPKD patients compared to non-diabetic and diabetic patients, and the healthy volunteers. The prevalence of hypophosphatemia was 38, 25, 27, and 5% in ADPKD, non-diabetic and diabetic patients, and healthy volunteers, respectively. The tubular maximum of phosphate reabsorption per glomerular filtration rate was lowest in ADPKD patients with a significantly high positive correlation with serum phosphate levels. Estimated glomerular filtration rates were approximately 100 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in all groups and parathyroid hormone and vitamin D metabolite levels were in the normal range. Thus, FGF23 was substantially elevated in ADPKD patients compared to other CKD patients matched for glomerular filtration rate, and was associated with increased renal phosphate excretion. The mechanism for this anomaly will require further study
Concept and development of an autonomous wearable micro-fluidic platform for real time pH sweat analysis

In this work the development of an autonomous, robust and wearable micro-fluidic platform capable of performing on-line analysis of pH in sweat is discussed. Through the means of an optical detection system based on a surface mount light emitting diode (SMD LED) and a light photo sensor as a detector, a wearable system was achieved in which real-time monitoring of sweat pH was performed during 55 minutes of cycling activity. We have shown how through systems engineering, integrating miniaturised electrical components, and by improving the micro-fluidic chip characteristics, the wearability, reliability and performance of the micro-fluidic platform was significantly improved
Multi-response optimization of CO2 laser welding process of austenitic stainless steel

Recently, laser welding of austenitic stainless steel has received great attention in industry, due to its wide spread application in petroleum refinement stations, power plant, pharmaceutical industry and households. Therefore, mechanical properties should be controlled to obtain good welded joints. The welding process should be optimized by the proper mathematical models. In this research, the tensile strength and impact strength along with the joint operating cost of laser welded butt joints made of AISI304 was investigated. \ud
Design-expert software was used to establish the design matrix and to analyze the experimental data. The relationships between the laser welding parameters (laser power, welding speed and focal point position) and the three responses (tensile strength, impact strength and joint operating cost) were established. Also, the optimization capabilities in design-expert software were used to optimise the welding process. \ud
The developed mathematical models were tested for adequacy using analysis of variance and other adequacy measures. In this investigation the optimal welding conditions were identified in order to increase the productivity and minimize the total operating cost. Overlay graphs were plotted by superimposing the contours for the various response surfaces. The process parameters effect was determined and the optimal welding combinations were tabulated
The role of RFID in agriculture: Applications, limitations and challenges

The recent advances in RFID offer vast opportunities for research, development and innovation in agriculture.\ud
The aim of this paper is to give readers a comprehensive view of current applications and new possibilities,\ud
but also explain the limitations and challenges of this technology.\ud
RFID has been used for years in animal identification and tracking, being a common practice in many\ud
farms. Also it has been used in the food chain for traceability control. The implementation of sensors in\ud
tags, make possible to monitor the cold chain of perishable food products and the development of new\ud
applications in fields like environmental monitoring, irrigation, specialty crops and farm machinery.\ud
However, it is not all advantages. There are also challenges and limitations that should be faced in the\ud
next years. The operation in harsh environments, with dirt, extreme temperatures; the huge volume of\ud
data that are difficult to manage; the need of longer reading ranges, due to the reduction of signal\ud
strength due to propagation in crop canopy; the behavior of the different frequencies, understanding\ud
what is the right one for each application; the diversity of the standards and the level of granularity\ud
are some of them
Tools for constraint visualization: The VIFID/TRIFID tool

Visualization of program executions has been used in applications which include education and debugging. However, traditional visualization techniques often fall short of expectations or are altogether inadequate for new\ud
programming paradigms, such as Constraint Logic Programming (CLP), whose declarative and operational semantics differ in some crucial ways from those of other paradigms. In particular, traditional ideas regarding the behavior of data often cannot be lifted in a straightforward way to (C)LP from other families of programming languages. In this chapter we discuss techniques for visualizing data evolution in CLP. We briefly review some previously proposed visualization paradigms, and also propose a number of (to our knowledge) novel ones. The graphical representations have been chosen based on the perceived needs of a programmer trying to analyze the behavior and characteristics of an execution. In particular, we concéntrate on the representation of the run-time valúes of the variables, and the constraints among them. Given our interest in visualizing large executions, we also pay attention to abstraction techniques, i.e., techniques which are intended to help in reducing the complexity of the visual information
Effort allocation in tournaments: the effect of gender on academic performance in Italian universities

We consider the academic performance of Italian university graduates and their labor market position 3 years after graduation. Our data confirm the common finding that female students outperform male students in academia but are overcome in the labor market. Assuming that academic competition is fair and that individual talent is equally distributed by gender, we suggest that the gender gap evident in degree scores is endogenously due to the greater effort exerted by female students. We find that females face a greater increase in labor market returns from signalling through academic performance. This higher prize explains the greater effort exerted by females and the higher probability of winning the academic competition.
Social learning increases the acceptance and the efficiency of punishment institutions in social dilemmas

Endogenously chosen punishment institutions perform well in increasing contributions and long-term payoffs in social dilemma situations. However, they suffer from (a) initial reluctance of subjects to join the punishment institution and (b) initial efficiency losses due to frequent punishment. Here, we investigate the effects of social learning on the acceptence and the efficiency of a peer punishment institution in a community choice experiment. Subjects choose between communities with and without the possibility to punish peers before interacting in a repeated social dilemma situation. We find that providing
participants with a social history - presenting the main results of an identical previous experiment conducted with dierent subjects - decreases the initial reluctance towards the punishment institution signicantly. Moreover, with social history, cooperative groups reach the social optimum more rapidly and there is lower efficiency loss due to reduced punishment. Our findings shed light on the importance of social learning for the acceptance of seemingly unpopular but socially desirable mechanisms.