pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Dansgaard-Oeschger climatic variability revealed by fire emissions in southwestern Iberia

International audiencePaleoenvironmental records in Europe describing paleofires extending back to the Last Interglacial have so far been unavailable. Here we present paleofire results from the combined petrographic and automated image analysis of microcharcoal particles preserved in marine core MD95-2042 retrieved off southwestern Iberia and covering the last climatic cycle. The variability of microcharcoal concentrations reveals that the variability of fire emissions is mainly imprinted by the 23 000 yrs precessional cycle. A focus on the Last Glacial Period further shows that paleofires follow the variability of Dansgaard-Oeschger oscillation and Heinrich events and, therefore, parallel the variability of atmospheric temperatures over Greenland detected in ice cores. There is no evidence for fire increase related to human activity. The variability of fire emission by-products for the Last Glacial Period is interpreted in terms of changes in biomass availability. Low fire activity is associated with periods of drought which saw the development of semi-desert vegetation that characterised stadial periods. Fire activity increased during wetter interstadials, related to the development of open Mediterranean forests with more woody fuel availability
Mobile Collaborative Augmented Reality: The Augmented Stroll

International audienceThe paper focuses on Augmented Reality systems in which interaction with the real world is augmented by the computer, the task being performed in the real world. We first define what mobile AR systems, collaborative AR systems and finally mobile and collaborative AR systems are. We then present the augmented stroll and its software design as one example of a mobile and collaborative AR system. The augmented stroll is applied to Archaeology in the MAGIC (Mobile Augmented Group Interaction in Context) project
STBC MC-CDMA systems: Comparison of MMSE single user and multiple user detection schemes over Rayleigh and MIMO METRA channels

International audienceThe performance of MMSE single-user detection (SD) and multi-user detection (MD) STBC multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) systems are analysed and compared in the case of two transmit antennas and one or two receive antennas over Rayleigh fading channels and then over the stochastic multiple input multiple output (MIMO) METRA channel model. With two transmit and one receive antennas, MD achieves a gain of roughly 1 dB for non-full load systems while the same performance is obtained with MD and SD for full load systems. Besides, with two receive antennas, we present a sub-optimal and an optimal MMSE SD MIMO MC-CDMA schemes, this last one offering a very good performance. Finally, the very good behaviour of MMSE space-time block coding (STBC) MC-CDMA systems is confirmed over the realistic multi element transmit receive antennas (METRA) MIMO channel
New conductive copolymer membranes via track-etched PC templates for biological media ultra-filtration

International audienceNew microstructurated copolymer membranes have been synthesized using a track-etched polycarbonate (PC) matrix. These membranes proved to be an important device in the field of ultra-filtration and synthetic membranes. These novel structures were obtained by irradiating at various angles (+30 , 30 ). Such architecture is expected to improve not only the exchange properties but also, the behaviour under high flow pressure during their use as nanofiltration membranes. Membrane functionalization was performed with an amino acid as a simple biological model. Transmission and ATR-FTIR spectroscopies show that the doping state of copolymer dramatically influences the amino acid coupling rate. UV-vis spectroscopy indicates that the copolymer may be self-doped
Analytical model for a geomorphological instantaneous unit hydrograph

International audienceThe rainfall-runoff modelling of a river basin can be divided into two processes: the production function and the transfer function. The production function determines the proportion of gross rainfall actually involved in the runoff. The transfer function spreads the net rainfall over time and space in the river basin. Such a transfer function can be modelled using the approach of the geomorphological instantaneous unit hydrograph (GIUH). The effectiveness of geomorphological models is actually revealed in rainfall-runoff modelling, where hydrologic data are desperately lacking, just as in ungauged basins. These models make it possible to forecast the hydrograph shape and runoff variation versus time at the basin outlet. This article is an introduction to a new GIUH model that proves to be simple and analytical. Its geomorphological parameters are easily available on a map or from a digital elevation model. This model is based on general hypotheses on symmetry that provide it with multiscale versatile characteristics. After having validated the model in river basins of very different nature and size, we present an application of this model for rainfall-runoff modelling. Since parameters are determined relying on real geomorphological data, no calibration is necessary, and it is then possible to carry out rainfall-runoff simulations in ungauged river basins. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley \& Sons, Ltd
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles with tunable pore size for tailored gold nanoparticles

The aim of this paper was to verify a\ud
possible correlation between the pore-size of meso-\ud
porous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and the sizes of\ud
gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) obtained by an impreg-\ud
nation of gold(III) chloride hydrate solution in the\ud
MSNs, followed by a specific thermal treatment.\ud
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles with tunable pore\ud
diameter were synthesized via a surfactant-assisted\ud
method. Tetraethoxysilane as silica precursor, cetyl-\ud
trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as surfactant\ud
and toluene as swelling agent were used. By varying\ud
the CTAB–toluene molar ratio, the average dimension\ud
of the pores could be tuned from 2.8 to 5.5 nm.\ud
Successively, thiol groups were grafted on the surface\ud
of the MSNs. Finally, the thermal evolution of the gold\ud
salt, followed by ‘‘in situ’’ X-ray powder diffraction\ud
(XRPD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA),\ud
revealed an evident correlation among the degradation\ud
of the thiol groups, the pore dimension of the MSNs\ud
and the size of the AuNPs. The samples were\ud
characterized by means of nitrogen adsorption–\ud
desorption, transmission electron microscopy, small-\ud
angle X-ray scattering, XRPD ‘‘in situ’’ by synchro-\ud
tron radiation, and ‘‘ex situ’’ by conventional tech-\ud
niques, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform\ud
spectroscopy, and TGA
Effect of copper content on the synthesis and properties of (Mg4−xCux)Al2OH12CO3, nH2O layered double hydroxides.

International audienceIn this paper, the substitution of Mg by Cu on the synthesis and properties of (Mg4−xCux)Al2OH12CO3, nH2O LDHs has been studied. Samples have been synthesized by the coprecipitation method using varying pH method. Physicochemical characterization of the obtained samples was performed by a combination of techniques such as X-ray diffraction, SEM, BET-specific surface area, UV–Visible spectrometry, EPR spectrometry, and thermogravimetric analysis. For all the syntheses, whatever the Mg/Cu ratio, a single phase was obtained. For low copper contents (x < 2.6), the single phase is a rhombohedral LDH. For higher copper contents, a symmetry decrease was observed and the layered hydroxide compound is monoclinic, due to distorted Cu(OH)2 octahedra by Jahn–Teller effect. Additionally, thermal stability of the compounds decreases when Cu content increases. Samples with the monoclinic cell do not show any affinity for nitrates and an even higher affinity for carbonates compared to Mg4Al2-LDH. For the samples with the LDH structure, the captured nitrate content increases as the copper content increases but remains limited. All the samples also lead to amorphous mixed oxide nanoparticles when heated at moderate temperature
Electron-neutrino scattering off nuclei from two different theoretical perspectives

We analyze charged-current electron-neutrino cross sections on Carbon. We consider two different theoretical approaches, on one hand the Continuum Random Phase Approximation (CRPA) which allows a description of giant resonances and quasielastic excitations, on the other hand the RPA-based calculations which are able to describe multinucleon emission and coherent and incoherent pion production as well as quasielastic excitations. We compare the two approaches in the genuine quasielastic channel, and find a satisfactory agreement between them at large energies while at low energies the collective giant resonances show up only in the CRPA approach. We also compare electron-neutrino cross sections with the corresponding muon-neutrino ones in order to investigate the impact of the different charged-lepton masses. Finally, restricting to the RPA-based approach we compare the sum of quasielastic, multinucleon emission, coherent and incoherent one-pion production cross sections (folded with the electron-neutrino T2K flux) with the charged-current inclusive electron-neutrino differential cross sections on Carbon measured by T2K. We find a good agreement with the data. The multinucleon component is needed in order to reproduce the T2K electron-neutrino inclusive cross sections
Spin and Charge Signatures of Topological Superconductivity in Rashba
  Nanowires

We consider a Rashba nanowire with proximity gap which can be brought into
the topological phase by tuning external magnetic field or chemical potential.
We study spin and charge of the bulk quasiparticle states when passing through
the topological transition for open and closed systems. We show, analytically
and numerically, that the spin of bulk states around the topological gap
reverses its sign when crossing the transition due to band inversion,
independent of the presence of Majorana fermions in the system. This spin
reversal can be considered as a bulk signature of topological superconductivity
that can be accessed experimentally. We find a similar behaviour for the charge
of the bulk quasiparticle states, also exhibiting a sign reversal at the
transition. We show that these signatures are robust against random static
disorder
Avoiding order reduction when integrating linear initial boundary value problems with Lawson methods

Exponential Lawson methods are well known to have a severe order reduction when integrating stiff
problems. In a previous article, the precise order observed with Lawson methods when integrating linear
problems is justified in terms of different conditions of annihilation on the boundary. In fact, the analysis
of convergence with all exponential methods when applied to parabolic problems has always been performed
under assumptions of vanishing boundary conditions for the solution. In this article, we offer a
generalization of Lawson methods to approximate problems with nonvanishing and even time-dependent
boundary values. This technique is cheap and allows to avoid completely order reduction independently
of having vanishing or nonvanishing boundary conditions.Este trabajo forma parte del proyecto de investigación: MTM 2015-66837-
A new 3D finite element model of the IEC 60318-1 artificial ear

The artificial ear specified in IEC 60318-1 is used for the measurement of headphones and has been designed to present an acoustic load equivalent to that of normal human ears. In this respect it is specified in terms of an acoustical impedance, and modelled by a lumped parameter approach. However, this has some inherent frequency limitations and becomes less valid as the acoustic wavelength approaches the characteristic dimensions within the device. In addition, when sound propagates through structures such as narrow tubes, annular slits or over sharp corners, noticeable thermal and viscous effects take place causing further departure from the lumped parameter model. A new numerical model has therefore been developed, which gives proper consideration to the aforementioned effects. Both kinds of losses can be simulated by means of the LMS Virtual Lab acoustic software which facilitates finite and boundary element modelling of the whole artificial ear. A full 3D model of the artificial ear has therefore been developed based on key dimensional data found in IEC 60318-1. The model has been used to calculate the acoustical impedance, and the results compared with the corresponding data determined from the lumped parameter model. The numerical simulation of the artificial ear has been shown to provide realistic results, and is a powerful tool for developing a detailed understanding of the device. It is also proving valuable in the revision of IEC 60318-1 that is currently in progress
User-definable resource bounds analysis for logic programs

We present a static analysis that infers both upper and lower bounds on the usage that a logic program makes of a set of user-definable resources. The inferred bounds will in general be functions of input data sizes. A resource in our approach is a quite general, user-defined notion which associates a basic cost function with elementary operations. The analysis then derives the related (upper- and lower-bound) resource usage functions for all predicates in the program. We also present an assertion\ud
language which is used to define both such resources and resourcerelated properties that the system can then check based on the results of the analysis. We have performed some preliminary experiments with some concrete resources such as execution steps, bytes sent or received by an application, number of files left open, number of accesses to a datábase, number of calis to a procedure, number of asserts/retracts, etc. Applications of our analysis include resource consumption verification and debugging (including for mobile code), resource control in parallel/distributed computing, and resource-oriented specialization
Does financial instability increase environmental pollution in Pakistan?

The present aims to explore the relationship between financial instability and environmental degradation within multivariate framework using time series data for the period1972-2009 in case of Pakistan. The long run relationship is investigated by ARDL bounds testing approach to cointegration, and error correction method is applied to examine short sun dynamics. The
stationarity properties of the variables are tested by applying Saikkonen and Lütkepohl (2002)structural break unit root test. Empirical evidence confirms the existence of long run relationship while financial instability increases environmental pollution in the country.
Teaching durability in automotive applications using a reliability approach

Fatigue phenomena, which appear generally below the yield stress, is the cause of more than 80 % of in-service mechanical failures. However, the optimization of the weight and cost when designing mechanical components or structures, linked to improved performance, leads to increasingly stressed components. Therefore a fatigue design approach must be done by the engineer. This paper shows the experience gained over five academic years of teaching fatigue the assessment of automotive components using a reliability approach to predict probability of failure, in the engineering school, Arts et Métiers ParisTech, in France. The choice was made to present a comprehensive fatigue assessment approach using a method, initially developed in the automotive industry and since extended to the aeronautical and mechanical industries. This method is known as the “Stress-Strength interference analysis”. The “Stress” represents the distribution of the driver severity, and the “Strength” represents the distribution of the fatigue strength of all the components. A suspension arm is used to illustrate the approach. The Dang Van multiaxial fatigue criterion is implemented in a Finite Elements Code and a danger coefficient is visualized on the meshed structure. The fatigue analysis is interpreted with respect to the target reliability sought by the car- manufacturer
A quasi-static stability analysis for Biot’s equation and standard dissipative systems

In this paper, an extended version of Biot's differential equation is considered in order to discuss the quasi-static stability of a response for a solid in the framework of generalized standard materials. The same equation also holds for gradient theories since the gradients of arbitrary order of the state variables and of their rates can be introduced in the expression of the energy and of the dissipation potentials. The stability of a quasi-static response of a system governed by Biot's equations is discussed. Two approaches are considered, by direct estimates and by linearizations. The approach by direct estimates can be applied in visco-plasticity as well as in plasticity. A sufficient condition of stability is proposed and based upon the positivity of the second variation of energy along the considered response. This is an extension of the criterion of second variation, well known in elastic buckling, into the study of the stability of a response. The linearization approach is available only for smooth dissipation potentials, i.e. for the study of visco-elastic solids and leads to a result on asymptotic stability. The paper is illustrated by a simple example
The stability and growth pact, fiscal policy institutions and stabilization in Europe

Ever since its inception, the EMU has been subject to controversy. The fiscal policy rules embedded in the Maastricht Treaty, and clarified in the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), are probably the most contentious. The SGP has constantly been accused of being too rigid and of forcing procyclicality in fiscal policy. However, in an influential paper Galí and Perotti (2003) concluded that discretionary fiscal policy has actually become more countercyclical in EMU countries since the Maastricht Treaty. This paper argues that this conclusion stands up to several robustness tests using ex-post data, including the use of institutional variables, but not to the use of real-time data. Using ex-post data, there is some evidence pointing to a more countercyclical use of discretionary fiscal policy (or at least to less use of procyclical discretionary fiscal policy). However, the use of real-time data for the period 1999–2006 reveals that discretionary fiscal policy has been designed to be procyclical. Hence, the actual acyclical behaviour of discretionary fiscal policy in the period after 1999 seems to be simply the result of errors in forecasting the output gap, and not the result of a change in the intentions of policy-makers. As a result, there is no evidence to support the view that Maastricht rules have forced euro-area policy-makers to change their behaviour and design countercyclical discretionary fiscal policies.http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10368-008-0110-
Socio-economic position and subjective health and well-being among older people in Europe: a systematic narrative review

Objectives: Previous studies of older European populations have established that disability and morbidity vary with indicators of socio-economic position (SEP). We undertook a systematic narrative review of the literature to ascertain to what extent there is evidence of similar inequalities in the subjective health and well-being of older people in Europe. Method: Relevant original research articles were searched for using Medline, Global Health, Embase, Social Policy and Practice, Cinahl, Web of Science and IBSS. We included studies of SEP and indicators of subjective health and well-being (self-rated health; life satisfaction; quality of life) conducted since 1991 using population based samples of older people in Europe and published 1995-2013. Results: A total of 71 studies were identified. Poorer SEP was associated with poorer subjective health and well-being. Associations varied somewhat depending on the SEP measure and subjective health and well-being outcome used. Associations were weaker when social support and health related behaviours were adjusted for suggesting that these factors mediate the relationship between SEP and subjective health and well-being. Associations tended to be weaker in the oldest age groups. The patterns of associations by gender were not consistent and tended to diminish after adjusting for indicators of health and life circumstances. Conclusion: The results of this systematic narrative review of the literature demonstrate the importance of social influences on later life subjective health and well-being and indicate areas which need further investigation, such as more studies from Eastern Europe, more longitudinal studies and more research on the role of mediating factors
Aggregated feature retrieval for MPEG-7

In this paper we present an initial study on the use of both high and low level MPEG-7 descriptions for video retrieval. A brief survey of current XML indexing techniques shows that an IR-based retrieval method provides a better foundation for retrieval as it satisfies important retrieval criteria such as content ranking and approximate matching. An aggregation technique for XML document retrieval is adapted to an MPEG-7 indexing structure by assigning semantic meanings to various audio/visual features and this is presented here
Techniques for clustering gene expression data

Many clustering techniques have been proposed for the analysis of gene expression data obtained from microarray experiments. However, choice of suitable method(s) for a given experimental dataset is not straightforward. Common approaches do not translate well and fail to take account of the data profile. This review paper surveys state of the art applications which recognises these limitations and implements procedures to overcome them. It provides a framework for the evaluation of clustering in gene expression analyses. The nature of microarray data is discussed briefly. Selected examples are presented for the clustering methods considered
Interaction between zinc, cadmium, and lead in scalp hair samples of Pakistani and Irish smokers rheumatoid arthritis subjects in relation to controls

The incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with cigarette smoking. The aim of our study was to assess the trace essential and toxic metals, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), in scalp hair samples of 32 Irish and 46 Pakistani smokers and non-smokers RA male patients with age range 42-56 years. For comparison purpose, the scalp hair samples of 27 Irish and 55 Pakistani non-RA male subjects of the same age group were collected. The concentrations of trace and toxic elements were measured by inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer and atomic absorption spectrophotometer prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of the methodology was checked using certified reference materials and using conventional wet acid digestion method on the same certified reference materials (CRMs). The recovery of all studied elements was found to be in the range of 97.5-99.7% of certified reference values of CRMs. The results of this study showed that the mean values of Cd and Pb were significantly higher in scalp hair samples of both smoker and non-smoker RA patients than in referents (P < 0.001), whereas the concentration of Zn was lower in the scalp hair samples of smokers and non-smokers rheumatoid arthritis patients. The deficiency of Zn and the high exposure of Cd and Pb as a result of cigarette smoking may be synergistic risk factors associated with rheumatoid arthritis