pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Reference database for seismic ground-motion in Europe (RESORCE)

International audienceThis paper presents 1 the overall procedure followed in order to assemble the most recent pan-European strong-motion databank: Reference Database for Seismic Ground-Motion in Europe (RESORCE). RESORCE is one of the by-products of the SeIsmic Ground Motion Assessment (SIGMA; projet-sigma.com) project. RESORCE is intended to be a single integrated accelerometric databank for broader Europe to understand the regional differences in seismic hazard for improving risk studies in Europe and surrounding countries. RESORCE principally updates and extends the previous pan-European strong-motion data-bank (Ambraseys in Bollettino di Geofisica Teorica ed Applicata 45:113-129, 2004a) from recently compiled Greek, Italian, Swiss and Turkish accelerometric archives. The updates also include the earthquake-specific literature studies published in recent years. The current content of RESORCE includes 5,882 multi-component and uniformly processed accelerograms from 1,814 events and 1,540 strong-motion stations. The moment magnitude range covered by RESORCE is 2.8 Mw 7.8. The source-to-site distance interval extends to 587 km and distance information is given by the common point- and extended-source distance measures. The paper presents the current features of RESORCE through simple statistics that also quantify the differences in metadata and strong-motion processing with respect to the previous version of the pan-European strong-motion databank
Structure and growth of titanium buffer layers on Al2O3(0001)

International audienceThe structure of titanium films on \alpha - Al2O3(0001) surfaces at room temperature was investigated through in situ reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED). The \alpha-phase of titanium was observed to grow with the Ti(0001) || Al2O3(0001), Ti[1100] || Al2O3[2110] and Ti[1010] || Al2O3[1100] epitaxy. For up to 6 nm thick films, an other structure was found to coexist with \alpha-Ti. Its presence has dramatic consequences for the wetting of silver, which partly explains the nontrivial buffer effect of titanium at the silver/alumina interface. From the RHEED data, the extra structure is assigned to the high-pressure hexagonal \omega-Ti phase. This is supported by tight-binding total energy calculations that demonstrate that the \omega phase could actually be stabilized by the \alpha - Al2O3(0001) substrate
Results of the Sixth International Comparison of Absolute Gravimeters, ICAG-2001

International audienceThe Sixth International Comparison of Absolute Gravimeters was held from 5 June to 28 August 2001 at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), Sèvres. Seventeen absolute gravimeters were used to make measurements at five sites of the BIPM gravity network. The vertical gravity gradients at the sites and the ties between them were also measured using seventeen relative gravimeters. For the first time the ties were also measured using absolute gravimeters. Various methods of processing the absolute and relative data were tested to calculate the results. The final results of ICAG-2001 are presented. The acceleration due to gravity at a height of 0.90 m is given as (980 925 701.2 ± 5.5) µGal and (980 928 018.8 ± 5.5) µGal for sites A and B, respectively, calculated using a combined adjustment of the absolute and relative data
Controls on magma permeability in the volcanic conduit during the climactic phase of the Kos Plateau Tuff eruption (Aegean Arc)

International audienceX-ray computed microtomography (μCT) was applied to pumices from the largest Quaternary explosive eruption of the active South Aegean Arc (the Kos Plateau Tuff; KPT) in order to better understand magma permeability within volcanic conduits. Two different types of pumices (one with highly elongated bubbles, tube pumice; and the other with near spherical bubbles, frothy pumice) produced synchronously and with identical chemical composition were selected for μCT imaging to obtain porosity, tortuosity, bubble size and throat size distributions. Tortuosity drops on average from 2.2 in frothy pumice to 1.5 in tube pumice. Bubble size and throat size distributions provide estimates for mean bubble size (~93– 98 μm) and mean throat size (~23–29 μm). Using a modified Kozeny-Carman equation, variations in porosity, tortuosity, and throat size observed in KPT pumices explain the spread found in laboratory measurements of the Darcian permeability. Measured difference in inertial permeability between tube and frothy pumices can also be partly explained by the same variables but require an additional parameter related to the internal roughness of the porous medium (friction factor f0). Constitutive equations for both types of permeability allow the quantification of laminar and turbulent gas escape during ascent of rhyolitic magma in volcanic conduits
Borehole water and hydrologic model around the Nojima fault, SW Japan

International audienceThe active fault drilling at Nojima Hirabayashi after the 1995 Hyogoken-nanbu (Kobe) earthquake (MJMA = 7.2) provides us with a unique opportunity to investigate subsurface fault structure and the in-situ properties of fault and fluid. The borehole intersected the fault gouge of the Nojima fault at a depth interval of 623m to 625m. The lithology is mostly Cretaceous granodiorite with some porphyry dikes. The fault core is highly permeable due to fracturing. The borehole water was sampled in 1996 and 2000 from the depth interval between 630 and 650 m, just below the fault core. The chemical and isotopic compositions were analyzed. Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of carbonates from the fault core were analyzed to estimate the origin of fluid. The following conclusions were obtained. (1) The ionic and isotopic compositions of borehole water did not change from 1996 to 2000. They are mostly derived from local ground water as mentioned by Sato and Takahashi (2000). (2) Geochemical speciation revealed that the borehole water was derived from a relatively deep reservoir, which may be situated at a depth of 3 to 4 km where the temperature is about 80-90 ̊C. (3) The shallower part of the Nojima fault (shallower than the reservoir depth) has not been healed from the hydrological viewpoints 5 years after the event, in contrast to the rapid healing detected by S wave splitting (Tadokoro and Ando, 2002). (4) Precipitation of calcite from present borehole water since drilling supports the idea of precipitation of some calcite in coseismic hydraulic fractures in the fault core (Boullier et al., 2004). (5) Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of calcite indicated that the meteoric water flux had been localized at the fault core. (6) A difference in the carbon isotope ratio between the footwall and the hangingwall suggests that the fault has been acted as a hydrologic barrier, although the permeability along the fault is still high
Transfer and degradation of polyacrylamide based flocculants in hydrosystems: a review

International audienceThe aim of this review was to summarize information and scientific data from the literature dedicated to the fate of PAM-based flocculants in hydrosystems. Flocculants, usually composed of polyacrylamides (PAMs), are widely used in several industrial fields, particularly in minerals extraction, to enhance solid/liquid separation in water containing suspended matter. These polymers can contain residual monomer of acrylamide (AMD) which is known to be a toxic compound. This review focuses on the mechanisms of transfer and degradation, which can affect both PAM and residual AMD, with a special attention given to the potential release of AMD during PAM degradation. Due to PAM ability to adsorb onto mineral particles, its transport in surface water, groundwater and soils is rather limited and restricted to specific conditions. PAM can be also subject of biodegradation, photodegradation and mechanical degradation but most of the studies report slow degradation rates without AMD release. In the contrary, the adsorption of acrylamide onto particles is very low, which could favor its transfer in surface waters and ground water. However AMD transfer is likely to be limited by quick microbial degradation
A diagnosis-based approach for tire-road forces and maximum friction estimation

International audienceA new approach to estimate vehicle tire forces and road maximum adherence is presented. Contrarily to most of previous works on this subject, it is not an asymptotic observer based estimation, but a combination of elementary diagnosis tools and new algebraic techniques for filtering and estimating derivatives of noisy signals. In a first step, instantaneous friction and lateral forces will be computed within this framework. Then, extended braking stiffness concept is exploited to detect which braking efforts allow to distinguish a road type from another. A weighted Dugoff model is used during these “distinguishable” intervals to estimate the maximum friction coefficient. Very promising results have been obtained in noisy simulations and real experimentations for most of driving situations
Large amplitude dynamics of micro/nanomechanical resonators actuated with electrostatic pulses

International audienceIn the field of resonant NEMS design, it is a common misconception that large-amplitude motion, and thus large signal-to-noise ratio, can only be achieved at the risk of oscillator instability. In the present paper, we show that very simple closed-loop control schemes can be used to achieve stable largeamplitude motion of a resonant structure, even when jump resonance (caused by electrostatic softening or Duffing hardening) is present in its frequency response. We focus on the case of a resonant accelerometer sensing cell, consisting in a nonlinear clamped-clamped beam with electrostatic actuation and detection, maintained in an oscillation state with pulses of electrostatic force that are delivered whenever the detected signal (the position of the beam) crosses zero. We show that the proposed feedback scheme ensures the stability of the motion of the beam much beyond the critical Duffing amplitude and that, if the parameters of the beam are correctly chosen, one can achieve almost full-gap travel range without incurring electrostatic pull-in. These results are illustrated and validated with transient simulations of the nonlinear closed-loop system
Generalized theory for node disruption in finite-size complex networks

International audienceAfter a failure or attack the structure of a complex network changes due to node removal. Here, we show that the degree distribution of the distorted network, under any node disturbances, can be easily computed through a simple formula. Based on this expression, we derive a general condition for the stability of noncorrelated finite complex networks under any arbitrary attack. We apply this formalism to derive an expression for the percolation threshold fc under a general attack of the form fk∼kγ, where fk stands for the probability of a node of degree k of being removed during the attack. We show that fc of a finite network of size N exhibits an additive correction which scales as N−1 with respect to the classical result for infinite networks
Potential of an ultraviolet, medium-footprint lidar prototype for retrieving forest structure

The aim of the paper is to carry on methodological development for retrieving forest parameters from medium-footprint lidar signals and for assessing the performance of different sampling strategies. The 2.4m footprint lidar prototype (a profiler instrument using an ultraviolet laser) was flown above two different maritime pine stands: a young plantation (10 years old) and a mature, semi-natural stand (55 years old), both in the Landes forest, France. The vertical distribution of lidar measurements was studied for retrieving forest height parameters (mean total height, mean crown height and top height). The processing algorithm was based on an aggregation of successive signals followed by the correction of the signal attenuation along the travel through the vegetation. The performance of different sampling strategies was assessed by comparing the results for the full dataset (several fight lines over the stands) and for only a data subset (one flight line). In addition, the horizontal distribution of height measurements was studied for identifying the planting pattern of the stands and assessing the tree spacing of the semi-natural parcel, using geostatistics. We obtained a sub-metric estimation error (lidar reference) of 0.2 m on the mean total height in the young stand ( 0.7 m in the mature stand), a bias of 0.3 m ( 0.3 m) on the mean crown height measurement and of 0.6 m ( 1.0 m) on the top height. The planting pattern was also successfully identified, and the distance between trees was assessed in agreement with ground measurements. Having demonstrated its ability to assess forest structure, even with a unique flight line, the lidar prototype seems to be a valuable sensor for performing fast forest inventory at regional scale. In addition, this sensor opens the way to the development of bi-functional lidar for both atmosphere and vegetation remote sensing
Intergenerational support among migrant families in Europe

Intergenerational support is important throughout the individual life course and a major mechanism of cultural continuity. In this study, we analyse support between older parents and their adult children among international migrant and non-migrant populations in North, Centre and Southern Europe. Data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe are used to compare upward and downward practical support, grandparenting, and frequency of contact among 62,213 parent–child dyads. Findings indicate limited differences in support between migrants and non-migrants as well as between migrants of various origins. However, persistent differences in intergenerational support across Europe along a north–south gradient are found irrespective of migrant status
Magnetic WKB Constructions

International audienceThis paper is devoted to the semiclassical magnetic Laplacian. Until now WKB expansions for the eigenfunctions were only established in presence of a non-zero electric potential. Here we tackle the pure magnetic case. Thanks to Feynman-Hellmann type formulas and coherent states decomposition, we develop here a magnetic Born-Oppenheimer theory. Exploiting the multiple scales of the problem, we are led to solve an effective eikonal equation in pure magnetic cases and to obtain WKB expansions. We also investigate explicit examples for which we can improve our general theorem: global WKB expansions, quasi-optimal estimates of Agmon and upper bound of the tunelling effect (in symmetric cases). We also apply our strategy to get more accurate descriptions of the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions in a wide range of situations analyzed in the last two decades
Synthesis of new pyridazino[4,5-b]indol-4-ones and pyridazin-3(2H)-one analogs as DYRK1A inhibitors

International audienceNew pyridazino[4,5-b]indol-4-ones and pyridazin-3(2H)-one analogs were synthesized and their inhibitory activities against DYRK1A, CDK5/p25, GSK3α/β and p110-α isoform of PI3K evaluated using harmine as reference. Both furan-2-yl 10 and pyridin-4-yl 19 from the two different series, exhibited submicromolar IC50 against DYRK1A with no activities against the three other kinases. In addition, compound 10 exhibited antiproliferative activities in the Huh-7, Caco2 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines
Fast recursive grayscale morphology operators: from the algorithm to the pipeline architecture

International audienceThis paper presents a new algorithm for an efficient computation of morphological operations for gray images and its specific hardware. The method is based on a new recursive morphological decomposition method of 8-convex structuring elements by only causal two-pixel structuring elements (2PSE). Whatever the element size, erosion or/and dilation can then be performed during a unique raster-like image scan involving a fixed reduced analysis neighborhood. The resulting process offers low computation complexity combined with easy description of the element form. The dedicated hardware is generic and fully regular, built from elementary interconnected stages. It has been synthesized into an FPGA and achieves high frequency performances for any shape and size of structuring element
Dimethyl Carbonate in the Supercages of NaY Zeolite: The Role of Local Fields in Promoting Methylation and Carboxymethylation. Activity

It has been hypothesized that activation of DMC in the restricted spaces of the internal cavities (super-cages) of NaY occurs by an electric-field-induced polarization of the molecule, which is accompanied by elongation and weakening of the O-CH3 and/or C-OCH3 bonds. To clarify this fundamental point, the aim of this investigation is to shed light on the structural perturbation induced in DMC upon interaction with the positively charged counterions present in the supercages. For this purpose a study of the modification of the IR properties of DMC, induced by the interaction with NaY, has been performed; the experimental results obtained are compared with ab initio simulations. It will be shown that the interaction of DMC with Na+ ions fully explains why NaY is so effective in promoting the methylation and carboxymethylation activity of DMC
The country of brand communication in the retail setting: An analysis of Italian products in China

The aim of this paper is to investigate the role of country of brand (COB) communication within the retail environment of emerging markets. Drawing from the literature on store image, we developed a framework to analyse static and dynamic elements of COB communication. By adopting an inductive approach, we analysed COB use in a sample of 20 stores of Italian fashion brands in China using the mystery shopping technique. Given the increasing growth of e-retailing in China, the in-store observation is complemented by an analysis of the use of COB within the brand's local website and e-commerce page. In order to have a multi-layered representation of the phenomenon, in-depth interviews with managers of Italian firms in fashion industry are carried out. Findings confirm that retailing represents a primary communication channel for firms operating in China; however, the results of the participant observation show that COB is a cue information utilised only by a small percentage of the sample, mainly in a textual and iconic way. Managerial implications are discussed on the extent to which COB communication in store should be managed within an effective marketing strategy in line with the country and consumer characteristics in order to enhance the brand image in a growing market like China
Metallic, magnetic and molecular nanocontacts

Scanning tunnelling microscopy and break-junction experiments realize metallic and molecular nanocontacts that act as ideal one-dimensional channels between macroscopic electrodes. Emergent nanoscale phenomena typical of these systems encompass structural, mechanical, electronic, transport, and magnetic properties. This Review focuses on the theoretical explanation of some of these properties obtained with the help of first-principles methods. By tracing parallel theoretical and experimental developments from the discovery of nanowire formation and conductance quantization in gold nanowires to recent observations of emergent magnetism and Kondo correlations, we exemplify the main concepts and ingredients needed to bring together ab initio calculations and physical observations. It can be anticipated that diode, sensor, spin-valve and spin-filter functionalities relevant for spintronics and molecular electronics applications will benefit from the physical understanding thus obtained
Erosion under climate and human pressures: An alpine lake sediment perspective

International audienceWe review the scientific efforts over the last decades to reconstruct erosion from continuous alpine lake sediment records. We focused both on methodological issues, showing the growing importance of non-destructive high resolution approaches (XRF core-scanner) as well as progresses in the understanding of processes leading to the creation of an “erosion signal” in lakes. We distinguish “continuous records” from “event-records”. Both provide complementary information but need to be studied with different approaches. Continuous regionally-relevant records proved to be particularly pertinent to document regional erosion patterns throughout the Holocene, in particular applying the source to sink approach. Event-based approaches demonstrated and took advantage of the strong non-linearity of sediment transport in high altitude catchment areas. This led to flood frequency and intensity reconstructions, highlighting the influence of climate change upon flood dynamics in the mountain.The combination of different record types, both in terms of location (high vs. low elevation), sedimentology (high vs. low terrigenous contribution) and significance (local vs. regional) is one of the main outputs of this paper. It allows the establishment of comprehensive histories of NW French Alps erosion, but also and consequently, soil dynamics and hydrological patterns throughout the Holocene. We also discuss the influence of glacier dynamics, one of the major agents of erosion in the Alps.A major feature is the growing human influence upon erosion at a local scale since at least the middle of the Bronze Age (3500 cal. BP). However and according to the regional record from Lake Bourget, only few periods of rising erosion at local scales generated a regional record that can be discriminated from wetter climatic periods. Among them, the period between 200 BCE and 400 AD appeared to be marked by a generalised rise in human-triggered erosion at local scales in the northern French Alps.This review highlights the importance of modern high-resolution and interdisciplinary studies of lake sediments, in order to better understand the complex relationships between humans, climate and the Earth system in general. We strongly argue that regional integration of data is now required to move a step further. Such an integration is easier with cost- and time-effective methods as well as after a better definition of approaches and their limits. This should lead to a stronger collaboration between paleo-data producers and modellers in the near future
Electric and magnetic screening masses at finite temperature from generalized Polyakov-line correlations in two-flavor lattice QCD

Screenings of the quark-gluon plasma in electric and magnetic sectors are studied on the basis of generalized Polyakov-line correlation functions in lattice QCD simulations with two flavors of improved Wilson quarks. Using the Euclidean-time reflection (R) and the charge conjugation (C), electric and magnetic screening masses are extracted in a gauge-invariant manner. Long distance behavior of the standard Polyakov-line correlation in the quark-gluon plasma is found to be dictated by the magnetic screening. Also, the ratio of the two screening masses agrees with that obtained from the dimensionally-reduced effective field theory and the N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory