pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Dynamic parameters of structures extracted from ambient vibration measurements: an aid for the seismic vulnerability assessment of existing buildings in moderate seismic hazard regions

International audienceDuring the past two decades, the use of ambient vibrations for modal analysis of structures has increased as compared to the traditional techniques (forced vibrations). The Frequency Domain Decomposition method is nowadays widely used in modal analysis because of its accuracy and simplicity. In this paper, we first present the physical meaning of the FDD method to estimate the modal parameters. We discuss then the process used for the evaluation of the building stiffness deduced from the modal shapes. The models considered here are 1D lumped-mass beams and especially the shear beam. The analytical solution of the equations of motion makes it possible to simulate the motion due to a weak to moderate earthquake and then the inter-storey drift knowing only the modal parameters (modal model). This process is finally applied to a 9-storey reinforced concrete (RC) dwelling in Grenoble (France). We successfully compared the building motion for an artificial ground motion deduced from the model estimated using ambient vibrations and recorded in the building. The stiffness of each storey and the inter-storey drift were also calculated
Hadronic B decays at BABAR

By means of hadronic B decays, the BABAR experiment aims to constrain the CKM matrix performing CP parameter measurements. It also seeks to test QCD factorization predictions and other models for B structure and decay mechanisms. We will present some of the on-going CP related analyses in the first section, while the second section will be dedicated to report on the conducted investigations on subjects as diverse as probing the gluon component in the B meson wave function, new physics and final state interactions in annihilation processes, intrinsic charm searches and first observation of strange charmed baryon production in B decays
IEEE 802.11 Load balancing: an approach for QoS Enhancement

International audienceWith the 802.11 WLAN multimedia applications (Video, Audio, real-time voice over IP,...) increasing, the customers demand more and more new features and functions. Providing Quality of Service (QoS) support is very important since the original standard doesn't take QoS into account. The standard offers access to the wireless users only regarding for physical considerations. This can lead to heavily overloaded access points (AP) and considerable degradation of the QoS. This paper deals with this problem. It focuses on the presentation of QoS management solution for wireless communication system. It, mainly, presents the fact that a balanced distribution of mobile stations among the available Access Points leads to a better performances of the Wireless LAN. OPNET simulations of the proposed approach are used to show a best resources allocation and efficiency on QoS metrics. A protocol structure between mobiles and APs is also specified for the installation of this approach. An SDL description and MSC simulation is provided as a first step in the development of this protocol
Long-time averaging for integrable Hamiltonian dynamics

International audienceGiven a Hamiltonian dynamics, we address the question of computing the space-average (referred as the ensemble average in the field of molecular simulation) of an observable through the limit of its time-average. For a completely integrable system, it is known that ergodicity can be characterized by a diophantine condition on its frequencies and that the two averages then coincide. In this paper, we show that we can improve the rate of convergence upon using a filter function in the time-averages. We then show that this convergence persists when a numerical symplectic scheme is applied to the system, up to the order of the integrator
Markov Chains Competing for Transitions: Application to Large-Scale Distributed Systems

International audienceWe consider the behavior of a stochastic system composed of several identically distributed, but non independent, discrete-time absorbing Markov chains competing at each instant for a transition. The competition consists in determining at each instant, using a given probability distribution, the only Markov chain allowed to make a transition. We analyze the first time at which one of the Markov chains reaches its absorbing state. We obtain its distribution and its expectation and we propose an algorithm to compute these quantities. We also exhibit the asymptotic behavior of the system when the number of Markov chains goes to infinity. Actually, this problem comes from the analysis of large-scale distributed systems and we show how our results apply to this domain
Comparison of numerical methods for simulating strongly non-linear and heterogeneous reactive transport problems – the MoMaS benchmark case

International audienceAlthough multicomponent reactive transport modeling is gaining wider application in various geoscience fields, it continues to present significant mathematical and computational challenges. There is a need to solve and compare the solutions to complex benchmark problems, using a variety of codes, because such intercomparisons can reveal promising numerical solution approaches and increase confidence in the application of reactive transport codes. In this contribution, the results and performance of five current reactive transport codes are compared for the 1D and 2D sub-problems of the so-called "Easy Test Case" of the MoMaS benchmark (Carrayrou et al., this issue). As a group, the codes include iterative and non-iterative operator splitting, and global implicit solution approaches. The 1D Easy Advective and 1D Easy Diffusive scenarios were solved using all codes and, in general, there was good agreement, with solution discrepancies limited to regions with rapid concentration changes. Computational demands were typically consistent with what was expected for the various solution approaches. The most important outcome of the benchmark exercise is that all codes are able to generate comparable results for problems of significant complexity and computational difficulty
Numerical simulation of a solitonic gas in KdV and KdV-BBM equations

19 pages, 11 figures, 47 references. Other author's papers can be found at http://www.denys-dutykh.com/The collective behaviour of soliton ensembles (i.e. the solitonic gas) is studied using the methods of the direct numerical simulation. Traditionally this problem was addressed in the context of integrable models such as the celebrated KdV equation. We extend this analysis to non-integrable KdV-BBM type models. Some high resolution numerical results are presented in both integrable and nonintegrable cases. Moreover, the free surface elevation probability distribution is shown to be quasi-stationary. Finally, we employ the asymptotic methods along with the Monte-Carlo simulations in order to study quantitatively the dependence of some important statistical characteristics (such as the kurtosis and skewness) on the Stokes-Ursell number (which measures the relative importance of nonlinear effects compared to the dispersion) and also on the magnitude of the BBM term
Upper and lower critical magnetic fields of superconducting NdFeAsO1−xFx single crystals studied by Hall-probe magnetization and specific heat

International audienceThe upper and lower critical fields have been deduced from specific heat and Hall-probe magnetization measurements in nonoptimally doped Nd O,F FeAs single crystals Tc 32-35 K . The anisotropy of the penetration depth is temperature independent and on the order of 4.0 1.5. Similarly specific-heat data lead to an anisotropy of the coherence length 5.5 1.5 close to Tc. Our results suggest the presence of rather large thermal fluctuations and the existence of a vortex liquid phase over a broad temperature range 5 K large at 2 T
Structural Basis for the Association of MAP6 Protein with Microtubules and Its Regulation by Calmodulin.
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Microtubule and calmodulin binding on Mn modules of MAP6

International audienceMicrotubules are highly dynamic αβ-tubulin polymers. In vitro and in living cells, microtubules are most often cold- and nocodazole-sensitive. When present, the MAP6/STOP family of proteins protects microtubules from cold- and nocodazole-induced depolymerization but the molecular and structure determinants by which these proteins stabilize microtubules remain under debate. We show here that a short protein fragment from MAP6-N, which encompasses its Mn1 and Mn2 modules (MAP6(90-177)), recapitulates the function of the full-length MAP6-N protein toward microtubules, i.e. its ability to stabilize microtubules in vitro and in cultured cells in ice-cold conditions or in the presence of nocodazole. We further show for the first time, using biochemical assays and NMR spectroscopy, that these effects result from the binding of MAP6(90-177) to microtubules with a 1:1 MAP6(90-177):tubulin heterodimer stoichiometry. NMR data demonstrate that the binding of MAP6(90-177) to microtubules involve its two Mn modules but that a single one is also able to interact with microtubules in a closely similar manner. This suggests that the Mn modules represent each a full microtubule binding domain and that MAP6 proteins may stabilize microtubules by bridging tubulin heterodimers from adjacent protofilaments or within a protofilament. Finally, we demonstrate that Ca(2+)-calmodulin competes with microtubules for MAP6(90-177) binding and that the binding mode of MAP6(90-177) to microtubules and Ca(2+)-calmodulin involves a common stretch of amino acid residues on the MAP6(90-177) side. This result accounts for the regulation of microtubule stability in cold condition by Ca(2+)-calmodulin
Cholesterol crystal-induced endothelial cell activation is complement-dependent and mediated by TNF

Cholesterol crystals are known to be a hallmark of atherosclerosis with recent studies demonstrating deposition of these crystals in early fatty streak formation as well as penetrating the intima following plaque rupture. Inflammation has also become a central focus in atheroma development and endothelial cell activation is recognized as necessary for the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the plaque. However, the extent to which cholesterol crystals can induce inflammation and activate endothelial cells is not known. To investigate this, we developed a novel model activating human umbilical vein endothelial cells using lepirudin anticoagulated human whole blood. We found that cholesterol crystals caused a marked and dose-dependent increase in the adhesion molecules E-selectin and ICAM-1 on the surface of the endothelial cells after incubation with whole blood. There was no activation of the cells when the crystals were incubated in medium alone, or in human serum, despite substantial crystal-induced complement activation in serum. Complement inhibitors at the C3 and C5 levels reduced the whole blood induced endothelial cell activation by up to 89% (p < 0.05) and abolished TNF release (p < 0.01). Finally, the TNF inhibitor infliximab reduced endothelial activation to background levels (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these data demonstrate that endothelial activation by cholesterol crystals is mediated by complement-dependent TNF release, and suggests that complement-inhibition might have a role in alleviating atherosclerosis-induced inflammation.Author preprin
The Interstellar Medium in Distant Star-forming Galaxies: Turbulent Pressure, Fragmentation, and Cloud Scaling Relations in a Dense Gas Disk at z = 2.3

International audienceWe have used the Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique (IRAM) Plateau de Bure Interferometer and the Expanded Very Large Array to obtain a high-resolution map of the CO(6-5) and CO(1-0) emission in the lensed, star-forming galaxy SMM J2135-0102 at z = 2.32. The kinematics of the gas are well described by a model of a rotationally supported disk with an inclination-corrected rotation speed, v rot = 320 ± 25 km s-1, a ratio of rotational-to-dispersion support of v/σ = 3.5 ± 0.2, and a dynamical mass of (6.0 ± 0.5) × 1010 M &sun; within a radius of 2.5 kpc. The disk has a Toomre parameter, Q = 0.50 ± 0.15, suggesting that the gas will rapidly fragment into massive clumps on scales of L J ~ 400 pc. We identify star-forming regions on these scales and show that they are ~10 × denser than those in quiescent environments in local galaxies, and significantly offset from the local molecular cloud scaling relations (Larson's relations). The large offset compared to local molecular cloud line-width-size scaling relations implies that supersonic turbulence should remain dominant on scales ~100× smaller than in the kinematically quiescent interstellar medium (ISM) of the Milky Way, while the molecular gas in SMM J2135 is expected to be ~50× denser than that in the Milky Way on all scales. This is most likely due to the high external hydrostatic pressure we measure for the ISM, P tot/k B ~ (2 ± 1) × 107 K cm-3. In such highly turbulent ISM, the subsonic regions of gravitational collapse (and star formation) will be characterized by much higher critical densities, n crit > = 108 cm-3, a factor gsim1000× more than the quiescent ISM of the Milky Way
Dark halo baryons not in ancient halo white dwarfs

accepted in Astronomy and Astrophysics (19-05-2004)Having ruled out the possibility that stellar objects are the main contributor of the dark matter embedding galaxies, microlensing experiments cannot exclude the hypothesis that a significant fraction of the Milky Way dark halo might be made of MACHOs with masses in the range $0.5-0.8 \msun$. Ancient white dwarfs are generally considered the most plausible candidates for such MACHOs. We report the results of a search for such white dwarfs in a proper motion survey covering a 0.16 sqd field at three epochs at high galactic latitude, and 0.938 sqd at two epochs at intermediate galactic latitude (VIRMOS survey), using the CFH telescope. Both surveys are complete to I = 23, with detection efficiency fading to 0 at I = 24.2. Proper motion data are suitable to separate unambiguously halo white dwarfs identified by belonging to a non rotating system. No candidates were found within the colour-magnitude-proper motion volume where such objects can be safely discriminated from any standard population as well as from possible artefacts. In the same volume, we estimate the maximum white dwarf halo fraction compatible with this observation at different significance levels if the halo is at least 14 gigayears old and under different ad hoc initial mass functions. Our data alone rules out a halo fraction greater than 14% at 95% confidence level. Combined with two previous investigations exploring comparable volumes pushes the limit below 4 % (95% confidence level) or below 1.3% ( 64% confidence), this implies that if baryonic dark matter is present in galaxy halos, it is not, or it is only marginally in the form of faint hydrogen white dwarfs
Reactions of N+ (3P) ions with H2 and HD molecules at low temperatures

International audienceContext. This work is motivated by the necessity to take account of both the nuclear spin symmetries of H 2 and the spin-orbit interaction of N + ions in order to investigate gas phase reactions in interstellar chemistry, leading to the formation of nitrogenous and deuterated compounds. Aims. The main objective in this work is to determine the rate coefficients for each possible initial quantum state of the reactants N + (3 P j) + H 2 (J) (and their isotopic variants). Only in this way does it become possible both to analyse experimental data and to develop realistic applications to interstellar chemical models to constrain the gas phase chemistry of ammonia and its isotopologues. Methods. A statistical treatment is presented of state selective reactive collisions involving N + ions in fine structure state j with H 2 or HD molecules in a rotation level J of the ground vibration state, leading either to the production of NH + ions and H in the case of the H 2 reactant, and to the production of either NH + ions or ND + in the case of the HD reactant. The energies of fine structure states (j = 0, 1, 2) of the N + ions are treated on an equal footing with the other energies of internal motions. All fine structure states are considered to be reactive. Results. Cross sections for state-to-state collisions are calculated for collision energies ranging from 0.1–30 meV. These cross sections are then averaged over the kinetic energies of the reactants for each (J, j) to obtain the rate coefficients for a range of kinetic temperatures 10–200 K. The exo/endothermicity of the reactions involving N + (3 P j) + H 2 (J) (and isotopic variants) is derived from the difference ∆E e between the dissociation energies of the electronic molecular potentials of NH + and H 2. The value ∆E e = 101 meV is found to satisfactorily reproduce the experiments performed with ortho-H 2 and to a lesser extent with para-H 2. This value is used to determine the rate coefficient of the N + + HD reaction leading to the formation of ND +. The calculated value is consistent with the available experimental data. Conclusions. The present results allow for the determination of reaction rate coefficients for any given distribution of specific fine structure and rotational state populations of the reactants. In interstellar conditions, where N + is in its 3 P 0 state and para-and ortho-H 2 respectively in J = 0 and J = 1. Our results enable a study of the influence of the ortho/para evolution of molecular hydrogen on the formation of nitrogen compounds
Dynamics of asteroids and near-Earth objects from Gaia astrometry

The original publication is available at www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00320633International audienceGaia is an astrometric mission that will be launched in spring 2013. There are many scientific outcomes from this mission and as far as our Solar System is concerned, the satellite will be able to map thousands of main belt asteroids (MBAs) and near-Earth objects (NEOs) down to magnitude ≤20. The high precision astrometry (0.3-5 mas of accuracy) will allow orbital improvement, mass determination, and a better accuracy in the prediction and ephemerides of potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs).We give in this paper some simulation tests to analyse the impact of Gaia data on known asteroids's orbit, and their value for the analysis of NEOs through the example of asteroid (99942) Apophis. We then present the need for a follow-up network for newly discovered asteroids by Gaia, insisting on the synergy of ground and space data for the orbital improvement
Temperature-induced change in the Fermi surface topology in the spin density wave phase of Sr(Fe 1 − x Co x ) 2 As 2

International audienceWe report electronic Raman scattering measurements of Sr(Fe1−xCox)2As2 single crystals in their magnetic-Spin Density Wave (SDW) phase. The spectra display multiple, polarization-resolved SDW gaps as expected in a band-folding itinerant picture for a multiband system. The temperature dependence of the SDW gaps reveals an unusual evolution of the reconstructed electronic structure with at least one gap being activated only well below the magnetic SDW transition TN. A comparison with temperature dependent Hall measurements allows us to assign this activated behavior to a change in the Fermi surface topology deep in the SDW phase, which we attribute to the disappearance of a hole-like Fermi pocket. Our results highlight the strong sensitivity of the low energy electronic structure to temperature in iron-arsenide superconductors
Three consistent approaches of the multiple ckracking process in 1D composites

International audienceMost modellings found in literature for the multiple cracking process of 1D composites can be categorised into three different approaches: a Continuous Approach (CA) that assumes an infinitely long composite, and two random approaches that consider composites of finite length. The Random Strength Approach (RSA) rests on a spatial discretization of the composite on which a strength distribution is applied, whereas the Random Crack Approach (RCA) generates the location and the strength of each new crack without any discretization. The first part of the paper lays the model and its statistical foundations. They are used to demonstrate that the three approaches should provide consistent results. The three approaches are then introduced, with special emphasis on the RCA as it is implemented for the first time without any approximation. Finally, the results provided by the three approaches are compared, confirming their full consistenc
Gradient Optics of subwavelength nanofilms,

Propagation and tunneling of light through subwavelength photonic barriers, formed by dielectric layers with continuous spatial variations of dielectric susceptibility across the film are considered. Effects of giant heterogeneity-induced non-local dispersion, both normal and anomalous, are examined by means of a series of exact analytical solutions of Maxwell equations for gradient media. Generalized Fresnel formulae, visualizing a profound influence of gradient and curvature of dielectric susceptibility profiles on reflectance/transmittance of periodical photonic heterostructures are presented. Depending on the cutoff frequency of the barrier, governed by technologically managed spatial profile of its refractive index, propagation or tunneling of light through these barriers are examined. Nonattenuative transfer of EM energy by evanescent waves, tunneling through dielectric gradient barriers, characterized by real values of refractive index, decreasing in the depth of medium, is shown. Scaling of the obtained results for different spectral ranges of visible, IR and THz waves is illustrated. Potential of gradient optical structures for design of miniaturized filters, polarizers and frequency-selective interfaces of subwavelength thickness is considered
Solar seeing monitor MISOLFA: A new method for estimating atmospheric turbulence parameters

International audienceDaily observation conditions are needed when observing the Sun at high angular resolution. MISOLFA is a daytime seeing monitor developed for this purpose that allows the estimation of the spatial and temporal parameters of atmospheric turbulence. This information is necessary, for instance, for astrometric measurements of the solar radius performed at Calern Observatory (France) with SODISM II, the ground-based version of the SODISM instrument of the PICARD mission.We present a new way to estimate the spatial parameters of atmospheric turbulence for daily observations. This method is less sensitive to vibrations and guiding defaults of the telescope since it uses short-exposure images. It is based on the comparison of the optical transfer function obtained from solar data and the theoretical values deduced from the Kolmogorov and Von Ka`rma`n models. This method, previously tested on simulated solar images, is applied to real data recorded at Calern Observatory in July 2013 with the MISOLFA monitor.First, we use data recorded in the pupil plane mode of MISOLFA and evaluate the turbulence characteristic times of angle- of-arrival fluctuations: between 5 and 16 milliseconds. Second, we use the focal plane mode of MISOLFA to simultaneously record solar images to obtain isoplanatic angles: ranging from 1 to 5 arcseconds (in agreement with previously published values). These images and our new method allow Fried’s parameter to be measured; it ranges from 0.5 cm to 4.7 cm with a mean value of 1.5 cm when Kolmogorov’s model is considered, and from less than 0.5 to 2.6 cm with a mean value of 1.3 cm for the Von Ka`rma`n model. Measurements of the spatial coherence outer scale parameter are also obtained when using the Von Karman model; it ranges from 0.25 to 13 meters with a mean value of 3.4 meters for the four days of observation that we analyzed. We found that its value can undergo large variations in only a few hours and that more data analysis is needed to better define its statistics