pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Superconductivity in metastable phases of phosphorus-hydride compounds
  under high pressure

Hydrogen-rich compounds have been extensively studied both theoretically and
experimentally in the quest for novel high-temperature superconductors. Reports
on sulfur-hydride attaining metallicity under pressure and exhibiting
superconductivity at temperatures as high as 200 K have spurred an intense
search for room-temperature superconductors in hydride materials. Recently,
compressed phosphine was reported to metallize at pressures above 45 GPa,
reaching a superconducting transition temperature (T$_{c}$) of 100 K at 200
GPa. However, neither the exact composition nor the crystal structure of the
superconducting phase have been conclusively determined. In this work the phase
diagram of PH$_n$ ($n=1,2,3,4,5,6$) was extensively explored by means of {\it
ab initio} crystal structure predictions using the Minima Hopping Method (MHM).
The results do not support the existence of thermodynamically stable PH$_n$
compounds, which exhibit a tendency for elemental decomposition at high
pressure even when vibrational contributions to the free energies are taken
into account. Although the lowest energy phases of PH$_{1,2,3}$ display
T$_{c}$'s comparable to experiments, it remains uncertain if the measured
values of T$_{c}$ can be fully attributed to a phase-pure compound of PH$_n$
Dynamics of the land use, land use change, and forestry sink in the European Union: the impacts of energy and climate targets for 2030

A 2030 climate and energy policy framework was endorsed by the European Council in 2014. The main elements are a binding 40 % greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target compared to 1990, a renewable energy share of 27 %, and an energy savings target of at least 27 % by 2030. In this paper, we assess the impact of these targets on the European land use, land use change, and forestry (LULUCF) sector using a Europe focused global land use model linked with a detailed forest management model. We show that implementing a 40 % GHG emission reduction target by 2030 may only have a small negative impact on the domestic LULUCF sink if the additional biomass demand for energy is mostly met through ligno-cellulosic energy crops rather than forest removals. However, if the increased biomass demand were met through higher rates of forest harvest removals, a more negative impact on the LULUCF sink could be expected
BCS-BEC crossover of neutron pairs in symmetric and asymmetric nuclear matter

We propose new types of density dependent contact pairing interaction which reproduce the pairing gaps in symmetric and neutron matter obtained by a microscopic treatment based on the nucleon-nucleon interaction. These interactions are able to simulate the pairing gaps of either the bare interaction or the interaction screened by the medium polarization effects. It is shown that the medium polarization effects cannot be cast into the density power law function usually introduced together with the contact interaction and require the introduction of another isoscalar term. The BCS-BEC crossover of neutrons pairs in symmetric and symmetric nuclear matter is studied by using these contact interactions. It is shown that the bare and screened pairing interactions lead to different features of the BCS-BEC crossover in symmetric nuclear matter. For the screened pairing interaction, a two-neutron BEC state is formed in symmetric matter at $k_{Fn}\sim 0.2$~fm$^{-1}$ (neutron density $\rho_n/\rho_0\sim 10^{-3}$). Contrary the bare interaction does not form the BEC state at any neutron density
Electroweak results from HERA

Talk given on behalf of the H1 and Zeus CollaborationsInternational audienceThe inclusive neutral and charged current deep inelastic scattering processes at high $Q^2$ provide the main basis for electroweak studies at HERA. These studies include the determination of the W boson propagator mass and weak neutral current couplings of light quarks to the $Z^0$ boson. The polarised electron or positron beam at HERA II gives rise to additional sensitivities for these studies. Exceptions also exist; this is the case for the single W production
Evidence of relationship between mechanical stress and leakage current in AlGaN/GaN transistor after storage test

International audienceIn this paper, leakage current signatures in AlGaN HEMT are studied after storage at 300°C. By comparing gate pad topology and by localized FIB cuts, Optical Beam Induce Resistance Change (OBIRCh) analysis was used to localize current path. Results tend to indicate that mechanical stresses in the gate structure strongly influences the leakage current of the transistor. Electrical characterization of the gate to source diode over temperatures supports the discrimination of the conduction mechanisms like thermionic field emission, Fowler-Nordheim or Poole-Frenkel. The OBIRCh analysis technique, widely used in silicon technology, appears to be a very efficient tool to localize leakage paths, in particular for HEMT topology with source terminated field plate
Influence of pre-existing volcanic edifice geometry on caldera formation

6p.International audienceVolcanic edifice construction at the Earth's surface significantly modifies the stress field within the underlying crust with two main implications for caldera formation. First, tensile rupture at the Earth's surface is favored at the periphery, which enables ring fault formation. Second, edifice formation amplifies the amount of pressure decrease occurring within a magma reservoir before the eruption stops. Taking into account both of these effects, caldera formation can be initiated during a central eruption of a preexisting volcano even when assuming elastic behaviour for the surrounding crust. Providing the roof aspect ratio is small enough, conditions for caldera formation by reservoir withdrawal can be reached whatever the reservoir shape is. However ring fault initiation is easier for laterally elongated reservoirs. Citation: Pinel, V. (2011), Influence of pre-existing volcanic edifice geometry on caldera formation, Geophys. Res. Lett., 38, L11305, doi: 10.1029/2011GL047900
Generating Sustainable Value from Open Data in a Sharing Society

Part 1: Creating ValueInternational audienceOur societies are in the midst of a paradigm shift that transforms hierarchal markets into an open and networked economy based on digital technology and information. In that context, open data is widely presumed to have a positive effect on social, environmental and economic value; however the evidence to that effect has remained scarce. Subsequently, we address the question how the use of open data can stimulate the generation of sustainable value. We argue that open data sharing and reuse can empower new ways of generating value in the sharing society. Moreover, we propose a model that describes how different mechanisms that take part within an open system generate sustainable value. These mechanisms are enabled by a number of contextual factors that provide individuals with the motivation, opportunity and ability to generate sustainable value
Enhancement of the Dark Matter Positron Signal in the Intermediate Mass Black Holes Scenario

A paraitre dans Journal of Physics : Conference SeriesInternational audienceA way to search for dark matter is to look for an excess in the cosmic positron spectrum above 1 GeV. In that context, an enhancement of the signal due to dark matter substructures is often introduced and referred to as the boost (or clumpiness) factor. Recent studies show not only that the boost factor does depend on energy, but is a statistical property of the distribution of substructures inside the Milky Way. Bertone's scenarios in which a relatively small number of intermediate-mass black holes are present in the Milky Way are investigatedhere. For m_chi = 100 GeV, boosts of order 103 are found, with a high dispersion, especially near the source energy
Singular optimal control model of stock dependent environmental policies

In many countries, forest policies consist of a system of various regulations, taxes and subsidies. In this article, we focus on those policies that regulate selective harvesting and study the example of Central Africa. We use a deterministic singular optimal control model of renewable resources to assess these policies with respect to a first best situation which integrates a social surplus or externality function. In particular, in contrast to earlier articles, we analyze a stock dependent tax, for which the objective function is piecewise differentiable. We use a theorem proposed by Hartl and Feichtinger to solve the mathematical problem. We show that this tax is the most flexible instrument with respect to fund collection
Overview of the MPEG Reconfigurable Video Coding Framework

International audienceVideo coding technology in the last 20 years has evolved producing a variety of different and complex algorithms and coding standards. So far the specification of such standards, and of the algorithms that build them, has been done case by case providing monolithic textual and reference software specifications in different forms and programming languages. However, very little attention has been given to provide a specification formalism that explicitly presents common components between standards, and the incremental modifications of such monolithic standards. The MPEG Reconfigurable Video Coding (RVC) framework is a new ISO standard currently under its final stage of standardization, aiming at providing video codec specifications at the level of library components instead of monolithic algorithms. The new concept is to be able to specify a decoder of an existing standard or a completely new configuration that may better satisfy application-specific constraints by selecting standard components from a library of standard coding algorithms. The possibility of dynamic configuration and reconfiguration of codecs also requires new methodologies and new tools for describing the new bitstream syntaxes and the parsers of such new codecs. 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 instantiation of the RVC decoder model. This language has been specifically designed for modeling complex signal processing systems. CAL dataflow models expose the intrinsic concurrency of the algorithms by employing the notions of actor programming and dataflow. The paper 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 software and/or hardware code synthesis
Marginal Abatement Cost Curves and Quality of Emission Reductions: A Case Study on Brazil

International audienceDecision makers facing emission-reduction targets need to decide which abatement measures to implement, and in which order. This paper investigates how marginal abatement cost (MAC) curves can inform such a decision. We re-analyse a MAC curve built for Brazil by 2030, and show that misinterpreting MAC curves as abatement supply curves can lead to suboptimal strategies. It would lead to (i) under-investment in expensive, long-to-implement and large-potential options, such as clean transportation infrastructure, and (ii) over-investment in cheap but limited-potential options such as energy-efficiency improvement in refineries. To mitigate this issue, the paper proposes a new graphical representation of MAC curves that explicitly renders the time required to implement each measure. In addition to the cost and potential of available options, designing optimal short-term policies requires information on long-term targets (e.g., halving emissions by 2050) and on the speed at which measures can deliver emission reductions. Mitigation policies are thus best investigated in a dynamic framework, building on sector-scale pathways to long-term targets. Climate policies should seek both quantity and quality of abatement, by combining two approaches. A "synergy approach" that focuses on the cheapest mitigation options and maximizes co-benefits. And an "urgency approach" that starts from a long-term objective and works backward to identify actions that need to be implemented early. Accordingly, sector-specific policies may be used (i) to remove implementation barriers on negative- and low-cost options and (ii) to ensure short-term targets are met with abatement of sufficient quality, i.e. with sufficient investment in the long-to-implement options required to reach long-term targets
Rapid catalytic oxidation of arsenite to arsenate in an iron(III)/sulfite system under visible light

International audienceRemoval of arsenic in industrial wastewaters proceeds often through oxidation of As(III) to As(V) following by precipitation and/or adsorption. In this work, the catalytic oxidation of As(III) to As(V) in an iron(III)/sulfite system and the removal of As(V) under visible light using sunlight or a light-emitting diode lamp were investigated. Our results show a significant enhancement of efficiency of As(III) oxidation at near-neutral pH, whereas 93% of As(III) was removed from solution by centrifugal treatment after 30 min of irradiation. Mechanism investigations revealed that the pathways of As(III) oxidation at circumneutral pH involved free radicals (mainly HO, SO4− and SO5−) and ligand-to-metal charge transfer between As(III) and colloidal ferric hydroxide particles. Sequential addition of sulfite could improve the oxidation efficiency for water having high concentrations of As(III) (i.e., 66.7 μM). These results clearly show that the visible light/iron(III)/sulfite system significantly enhances As(III) oxidation. This finding may have promising implications in developing a new cost-effective technology for the treatment of arsenic-containing water using sunligh
Hydrophobic VOC absorption in two-phase partitioning bioreactors; influence of silicone oil volume fraction on absorber diameter.

International audienceA methodology to determine the diameter of an absorber contacting a gas phase and two immiscible liquid phases (water/silicone oil mixture) is presented. The methodology is applied to a countercurrent gas/liquid randomly packed column for the absorption of three VOCs (toluene, dimethyl sulfide, or dimethyl disulfide). Whatever the silicone oil volume fraction, Eckert's generalized pressure drop correlation was used. The results present the change in the column diameter through the change in the dimensionless ratio D(ϕ)/D(ϕ=1) versus the silicone oil volume fraction for the same operating conditions. For toluene and dimethyl disulfide, characterized by Hvoc,silicone oil values equal to 2.3 and 3.4 Pa m3 mol−1, respectively, it is highlighted that it is unwise to use water/silicone oil mixtures for mass transfer. In these cases, the contact between the polluted air and pure silicone oil requires roughly the same amount of silicone oil as for a (90/10 v/v) water/silicone oil mixture, but enables a 2-fold decrease in the column diameter. For dimethyl sulfide, which is characterized by a larger partition coefficient value (Hvoc,silicone oil=17.7 Pa m3 mol−1), the mass transfer operation should not be considered because large amounts of silicone oil are required (whatever the silicone oil volume fraction), which is not acceptable from an economic point of view. The feasibility of using a bioscrubber for the treatment of hydrophobic pollutants depends mainly on the partition coefficient Hvoc,silicone oil. VOC absorption in TPPB should therefore be restricted to pollutants characterized by a Hvoc,silicone oil value of around 3 to 4 Pa m3 mol−1 or less. In this case, absorption can be efficiently carried out in a biphasic air/silicone oil system
Initiation of a periodic array of cracks in the thermal shock problem: a gradient damage modeling

International audienceThis paper studies the initiation of cracks in the thermal shock problem through the variational analysis of the quasi-static evolution of a gradient damage model. We consider a two-dimensional semi-infinite slab with an imposed temperature drop on its free surface. The damage model is formulated in the framework of the variational theory of rate-independent processes based on the principles of irreversibility, stability and energy balance. In the case of a sufficiently severe shock, we show that damage immediately occurs and that its evolution follows first a fundamental branch without localization. Then it bifurcates into another branch in which damage localization will take place to finally generate cracks. The determination of the time and mode of that bifurcation allows us to explain the periodic distribution of the so-initiated cracks and to calculate the crack spacing in terms of the material and loading parameters. Numerical investigations complete and quantify the analytical results
Lenalidomide with or without erythropoietin in transfusion-dependent erythropoiesis-stimulating agent-refractory lower-risk MDS without 5q deletion

International audienceAfter failure of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), lenalidomide (LEN) yields red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independence (TI) in 20-30% of lower-risk non-del5q myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Several observations suggest an additive effect of ESA and LEN in this situation. We performed a randomized phase III study in 131 RBC transfusion-dependent (TD, median transfusion requirement six RBC units per 8 weeks) lower-risk ESA-refractory non-del5q MDS. Patients received LEN alone, 10 mg per day, 21 days per 4 weeks (L arm) or LEN (same schedule) + erythropoietin (EPO) beta, 60,000 U per week (LE arm). In an intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis, erythroid response (HI-E, IWG 2006 criteria) after four treatment cycles (primary end point) was 23.1% (95% CI 13.5-35.2) in the L arm and 39.4% (95% CI 27.6-52.2) in the LE arm (P=0.044), while RBC-TI was reached in 13.8 and 24.2% of the patients in the L and LE arms, respectively (P=0.13). Median response duration was 18.1 and 15.1 months in the L and LE arms, respectively (P=0.47). Side effects were moderate and similar in the two arms. Low baseline serum EPO level and a G polymorphism of CRBN gene predicted HI-E. Combining LEN and EPO significantly improves erythroid response over LEN alone in lower-risk non-del5q MDS patients with anemia resistant to ES
Molecular characterization of a de novo 6q24.2q25.3 duplication interrupting UTRN in a patient with arthrogryposis.

International audienceChromosome 6q duplications have been documented repeatedly, allowing the delineation of a "6q duplication syndrome," characterized by hypertelorism, downslanting palpebral fissures, tented upper lip, short neck, severe mental and growth retardation, and joint contractures. Most reported cases result from malsegregation of a reciprocal translocation leading to a terminal 6q duplication and partial monosomy of another chromosome. Only 11 cases of de novo pure duplication have been reported so far. The breakpoints do not appear to be recurrent, but in most cases they have not been characterized molecularly, precluding genotype-phenotype correlation. We report on an 8-year-old girl with a phenotype consistent with mild 6q duplication syndrome, including characteristic physical findings, mild mental retardation, and joint contractures. She carries a 13 Mb de novo 6q24.2q25.3 duplication, diagnosed by high-resolution karyotype and confirmed by array-CGH. Molecular characterization of the duplicated segment with quantitative PCR showed that the proximal breakpoint is localized within the UTRN gene, encoding utrophin, the autosomal homologue of dystrophin. We discuss the possible implication of UTRN in arthrogryposis associated with duplications spanning the 6q23q26 region
Molecular responses of mouse macrophages to copper and copper oxide nanoparticles inferred from proteomic analyses.

International audienceThe molecular responses of macrophages to copper-based nanoparticles have been investigated via a combination of proteomic and biochemical approaches, using the RAW264.7 cell line as a model. Both metallic copper and copper oxide nanoparticles have been tested, with copper ion and zirconium oxide nanoparticles used as controls. Proteomic analysis highlighted changes in proteins implicated in oxidative stress responses (superoxide dismutases and peroxiredoxins), glutathione biosynthesis, the actomyosin cytoskeleton, and mitochondrial proteins (especially oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits). Validation studies employing functional analyses showed that the increases in glutathione biosynthesis and in mitochondrial complexes observed in the proteomic screen were critical to cell survival upon stress with copper-based nanoparticles; pharmacological inhibition of these two pathways enhanced cell vulnerability to copper-based nanoparticles, but not to copper ions. Furthermore, functional analyses using primary macrophages derived from bone marrow showed a decrease in reduced glutathione levels, a decrease in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and inhibition of phagocytosis and of lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production. However, only a fraction of these effects could be obtained with copper ions. In conclusion, this study showed that macrophage functions are significantly altered by copper-based nanoparticles. Also highlighted are the cellular pathways modulated by cells for survival and the exemplified cross-toxicities that can occur between copper-based nanoparticles and pharmacological agents
Severe respiratory complex III defect prevents liver adaptation to prolonged fasting

International audienceBackground and aims: Next generation sequencing approaches have tremendously improved the diagnosis of rare genetic diseases. It may however be faced with difficult clinical interpretation of variants. Inherited enzymatic diseases provide an invaluable possibility to evaluate the function of the defective enzyme in human cell biology. This is the case for respiratory complex III, which has 11 structural subunits and requires several assembly factors. An important role of complex III in liver function is suggested by its frequent impairment in human cases of genetic complex III defects. Methods: We report the case of a child with complex III defect and acute liver dysfunction with lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, and hyperammonemia. Mitochondrial activities were assessed in liver and fibroblasts using spectrophotometric assays. Genetic analysis was done by exome followed by Sanger sequencing. Functional complementation of defective fibroblasts was performed using lentiviral transduction followed by enzymatic analyses and expression assays. Results: Homozygous, truncating, mutations in LYRM7 and MTO1, two genes encoding essential mitochondrial proteins were found. Functional complementation of the complex III defect in fibroblasts demonstrated the causal role of LYRM7 mutations. Comparison of the patient’s clinical history to previously reported patients with complex III defect due to nuclear DNA mutations, some actually followed by us, showed striking similarities allowing us to propose common pathophysiology. Conclusions: Profound complex III defect in liver does not induce actual liver failure but impedes liver adaptation to prolonged fasting leading to severe lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, and hyperammonemia, potentially leading to irreversible brain damage