pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Hydrological dynamics and fire history of the last 1300years in western Siberia reconstructed from a high-resolution, ombrotrophic peat archive

International audienceSiberian peatlands provide records of past changes in the continental climate of Eurasia. We analyzed a core from Mukhrino mire in western Siberia to reconstruct environmental change in this region over the last 1300 years. The pollen analysis revealed little variation of local pine-birch forests. A testate amoebae transfer function was used to generate a quantitative water-table reconstruction; pollen, plant macrofossils, and charcoal were analyzed to reconstruct changes in vegetation and fire activity. The study revealed that Mukhrino mire was wet until the Little Ice Age (LIA), when drought was recorded. Dry conditions during the LIA are consistent with other studies from central and eastern Europe, and with the pattern of carbon accumulation across the Northern Hemisphere. A significant increase in fire activity between ca. AD 1975 and 1990 may be associated with the development of the nearby city of Khanty-Mansiysk, as well as with the prevailing positive Arctic Oscillation
Coupling between hydrogeology and deformation of mountainous rock slopes: Insights from La Clapière area (southern Alps, France)

International audienceMeteoric infiltration influence on large mountainous rock slopes stability is investigated by comparing hydrogeologic and gravitational structures from detailed mapping of the 'La Clapière' slope. The slope infiltrated waters are trapped in a perched aquifer that is contained in deposits inside tensile cracks of the upper part of the slope. Flow rates of 0.4 to 0.8 l s−1 from the perched aquifer to the landslide cause landslide accelerations. Numerical modeling shows that a 0.75 l s−1 infiltration yield increases conditions for toppling with failure through tilting of large rock volumes from the perched aquifer bottom down to the foot of the slope
Strongly subluminal regime of optical-to-terahertz conversion in GaP

We introduce and investigate a special regime of terahertz generation in electro-optic crystals with
ultrashort laser pulses, in which neither phase-matching nor Cherenkov radiation mechanism are
efficient. This regime occurs under the conditions that the optical group refractive index is larger
than the low-frequency phase refractive index of the crystal, and the spectral bandwidth of the laser
pulse is smaller than the frequency of the phase-matched terahertz wave. In this regime, that can be
realized for a Ti:sapphire laser in GaP, terahertz generation is provided by transient processes at the
crystal boundaries. We study the peculiarities of the terahertz emission from a slab of GaP excited
with a Ti:sapphire laser. In particular, we demonstrate a possibility to implement a pointlike source
of terahertz radiation that can increase the resolution of terahertz apertureless near-field microscopy
Stress Intensity Factor Error Index for Finite Element Analysis with Singular Elements

An error index for the stress intensity factor (SIF) obtained from the finite element analysis (FEA) results using singular elements
	is proposed. The index was developed by considering the facts that the analytical function shape of the crack tip displacement is
	known and that the SIF can be evaluated from the displacements only. The advantage of the error index is that it has the
	dimension of the SIF and converges to zero when the actual error of the SIF by displacement correlation technique converges to
	zero. Numerical examples for some typical crack problems, including a mixed mode crack, whose analytical solutions are known,
	indicated the validity of the index. The degree of actual SIF error seems to be approximated by the value of the proposed index
Role of degenerate Zeeman states in the storage and retrieval of light pulses

[[abstract]]We have studied the role of degenerate Zeeman states in the storage and retrieval of light pulses in the three-level Λ-type system of electromagnetically induced transparency. A probe pulse with the σ+ polarization is stored in the medium and subsequently released with the σ- polarization. However, the manipulation of the retrieved polarization causes an energy loss. Our study shows that the incompatibility between the stored ground-state coherence and the ratio of the probe and coupling Clebsch-Gordan coefficients is responsible for the energy loss. Such energy loss can be avoided as long as all population accumulates in a single Zeeman state. We provide the useful knowledge for the light-storage technique and demonstrate that the degenerate Zeeman states should be considered in the relevant applications[[fileno]]2010136010029[[department]]物理
Dual daughter strand incision is processive and increases the efficiency of DNA mismatch repair

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is an evolutionarily-conserved process responsible for the repair of replication errors. In Escherichia coli, MMR is initiated by MutS and MutL, which activate MutH to incise transiently-hemimethylated GATC sites. MMR efficiency depends on the distribution of these GATC sites. To understand which molecular events determine repair efficiency, we quantitatively studied the effect of strand incision on unwinding and excision activity. The distance between mismatch and GATC site did not influence the strand incision rate, and an increase in the number of sites enhanced incision only to a minor extent. Two GATC sites were incised by the same activated MMR complex in a processive manner, with MutS, the closed form of MutL and MutH displaying different roles. Unwinding and strand excision were more efficient on a substrate with two nicks flanking the mismatch, as compared to substrates containing a single nick or two nicks on the same side of the mismatch. Introduction of multiple nicks by the human MutLα endonuclease also contributed to increased repair efficiency. Our data support a general model of prokaryotic and eukaryotic MMR in which, despite mechanistic differences, mismatch-activated complexes facilitate efficient repair by creating multiple daughter strand nicks
Organisms or biological individuals? Combining physiological and evolutionary individuality

The definition of biological individuality is one of the most discussed topics in philosophy of biology, but current debate has focused almost exclusively on evolution-based accounts. Moreover, several participants in this debate consider the notions of a biological individual and an organism as equivalent. In this paper, I show that the debates would be considerably enriched and clarified if philosophers took into account two elements. First, physiological fields are crucial for the understanding of biological individuality. Second, the category of biological individuals should be divided into two subcategories: physiological individuals and evolutionary individuals, which suggests that the notions of organism and biological individual should not be used interchangeably. I suggest that the combination of an evolutionary and a physiological perspective will enable biologists and philosophers to supply an account of biological individuality that will be both more comprehensive and more in accordance with scientific practices
Light polarization sensitive photodetectors with m- and r-plane homoepitaxial ZnO/ZnMgO quantum wells

Homoepitaxial ZnO/(Zn,Mg)O multiple quantum wells (MQWs) grown with m- and r-plane orientations are used to demonstrate Schottky photodiodes sensitive to the polarization state of light. In both orientations, the spectral photoresponse of the MQW photodiodes shows a sharp excitonic absorption edge at 3.48 eV with a very low Urbach tail, allowing the observation of the absorption from the A, B and C excitonic transitions. The absorption edge energy is shifted by ∼30 and ∼15 meV for the m- and r-plane MQW photodiodes, respectively, in full agreement with the calculated polarization of the A, B, and C excitonic transitions. The best figures of merit are obtained for the m-plane photodiodes, which present a quantum efficiency of ∼11%, and a specific detectivity D* of ∼6.4 × 1010 cm Hz1/2/W. In these photodiodes, the absorption polarization sensitivity contrast between the two orthogonal in-plane axes yields a maximum value of (R⊥/R||)max ∼ 9.9 with a narrow bandwidth of ∼33 meV
Stochastic prediction of offshore wind farm LCOE through an integrated cost model

Common deterministic cost of energy models applied in offshore wind energy installations usually disregard the effect of uncertainty of key input variables – associated with OPEX, CAPEX, energy generation and other financial variables – on the calculation of levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The present study aims at expanding a deterministic cost of energy model to systematically account for stochastic inputs. To this end, Monte Carlo simulations are performed to derive the joint probability distributions of LCOE, allowing for the estimation of probabilities of exceeding set thresholds of LCOE, determining certain confidence intervals. The results of this study stress the importance of appropriate statistical modelling of stochastic variables in order to reduce modelling uncertainties and contribute to a better informed decision making in renewable energy investments
Gain-of-Function Mutations in ZIC1 Are Associated with Coronal Craniosynostosis and Learning Disability

Human ZIC1 (zinc finger protein of cerebellum 1), one of five homologs of the Drosophila pair-rule gene odd-paired, encodes a transcription factor previously implicated in vertebrate brain development. Heterozygous deletions of ZIC1 and its nearby paralog ZIC4 on chromosome 3q25.1 are associated with Dandy-Walker malformation of the cerebellum, and loss of the orthologous Zic1 gene in the mouse causes cerebellar hypoplasia and vertebral defects. We describe individuals from five families with heterozygous mutations located in the final (third) exon of ZIC1 (encoding four nonsense and one missense change) who have a distinct phenotype in which severe craniosynostosis, specifically involving the coronal sutures, and variable learning disability are the most characteristic features. The location of the nonsense mutations predicts escape of mutant ZIC1 transcripts from nonsense-mediated decay, which was confirmed in a cell line from an affected individual. Both nonsense and missense mutations are associated with altered and/or enhanced expression of a target gene, engrailed-2, in a Xenopus embryo assay. Analysis of mouse embryos revealed a localized domain of Zic1 expression at embryonic days 11.5–12.5 in a region overlapping the supraorbital regulatory center, which patterns the coronal suture. We conclude that the human mutations uncover a previously unsuspected role for Zic1 in early cranial suture development, potentially by regulating engrailed 1, which was previously shown to be critical for positioning of the murine coronal suture. The diagnosis of a ZIC1 mutation has significant implications for prognosis and we recommend genetic testing when common causes of coronal synostosis have been excluded
Computer aided design of horizontal axis turbine

This paper presents a computer-based method for modelling the blades of horizontal axis turbines using B-spline surfaces. The method uses common design parameters for the geometry of this type of turbine and produces a final set of B-spline surfaces for the geometry of the blades that can be used for the visualisation, calculations and construction of the rotor surface. The method begins with the creation of a 3D set of offsets that constitute the rotor blades based on a 2D definition of the airfoils, which is normally used in the design of different stations along the rotor blade. It also uses geometrical parameters such as the skew and rake or coning distribution. The method stresses the fitting of the blade?s leading edge, which has a significant impact on the properties of the rotor and separately models the trailing edge of the blades. B-spline curves and surfaces are used in this method because they are widely used in CAD-CAM software products and can be easily exported to other programs
Personalisation and recommender systems in digital libraries

Widespread use of the Internet has resulted in digital libraries that are increasingly used by diverse communities of users for diverse purposes and in which sharing and collaboration have become important social elements. As such libraries become commonplace, as their contents and services become more varied, and as their patrons become more experienced with computer technology, users will expect more sophisticated services from these libraries. A simple search function, normally an integral part of any digital library, increasingly leads to user frustration as user needs become more complex and as the volume of managed information increases. Proactive digital libraries, where the library evolves from being passive and untailored, are seen as offering great potential for addressing and overcoming these issues and include techniques such as personalisation and recommender systems. In this paper, following on from the DELOS/NSF Working Group on Personalisation and Recommender Systems for Digital Libraries, which met and reported during 2003, we present some background material on the scope of personalisation and recommender systems in digital libraries. We then outline the working group’s vision for the evolution of digital libraries and the role that personalisation and recommender systems will play, and we present a series of research challenges and specific recommendations and research priorities for the field
Optimising the laser-welded butt-joints of medium carbon steel using RSM

The optimization capabilities in design-expert software were used to optimise the keyhole parameters (i.e. maximize penetration (P) and minimise the heat input, width of welded zone, (W) and width of heat affected zone (WHAZ)) in CW CO2 laser butt-welding of medium carbon steel. The previous developed mathematical models to predict the keyhole parameters in terms of the process factors namely; laser power (LP), welding speed (S) and focused position (F) were used to optimize the welding process. The goal was to set the process factors at optimum values to reach the desirable weld bead quality and to increase the production rate. Numerical and graphical optimization techniques were used. In fact, two optimization criteria were taken into account. In this investigation optimal solutions were found that would improve the weld quality, increase the productivity and minimize the total operation cost. In addition to that, superimposing the contours for the various response surfaces produced overlay plots
Focused browsing: Providing topical feedback for link\ud
selection in hypertext browsing

When making decisions about whether to navigate to a linked page, users of standard browsers of hypertextual documents returned by an information retrieval search engine are entirely reliant on the content of the anchortext\ud
associated with links and the surrounding text. This information is often insufﬁcient for them to make reliable decisions about whether to open a linked page, and they can ﬁnd themselves following many links to pages which are not helpful with subsequent return to the previous page. We describe a prototype focusing browsing application which provides feedback on the likely usefulness of each page linked from the current one, and a term cloud preview of the contents of each linked page. Results from an exploratory experiment suggest that users can ﬁnd this useful in improving their search efﬁciency
A linear programming-based method for job shop scheduling

We present a decomposition heuristic for a large class of job shop scheduling problems. This heuristic utilizes information from the linear programming formulation of the associated optimal timing problem to solve subproblems, can be used for any objective function whose associated optimal timing problem can be expressed as a linear program (LP), and is particularly effective for objectives that include a component that is a function of individual operation\ud
completion times.  Using the proposed heuristic framework, we address job shop scheduling problems with a variety of objectives where intermediate holding costs need to be explicitly considered. In computational testing, we demonstrate the performance of our proposed solution approach
Transcription regulation of the Escherichia coli pcnB gene coding for poly(A) polymerase I: roles of ppGpp, DksA and sigma factors

Poly(A) polymerase I (PAP I), encoded by the\ud
pcnB gene, is a major enzyme responsible for RNA polyadenylation in Escherichia coli, a process involved in the global control of gene expression in this bacterium through inXuencing the rate of transcript degradation. Recent studies have suggested a complicated regulation of pcnB expression, including a complex promoter region, a control at the level of translation initiation and dependence on bacterial growth rate. In this report, studies on transcription regulation of the pcnB gene are described. Results of in vivo and in vitro experiments indicated that (a) there are three �70-dependent (p1, pB, and p2) and two �S-dependent (pS1 and pS2) promoters of the pcnB gene, (b) guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) and DksA directly inhibit transcription from pB, pS1 and pS2, and (c) pB activity is drastically impaired at the stationary phase of growth. These results indicate that regulation of the pcnB gene transcription is a complex process, which involves several factors acting to ensure precise control of PAP I production. Moreover, inhibition of activities of pS1 and pS2 by ppGpp and DksA suggests that regulation of transcription from promoters requiring alternative � factors by these eVectors of the stringent response might occur according to both passive and active models
Hydraulics and heat transfer in the IFMIF liquid lithium target: CFD calculations

CFD (Computational fluid dynamics) calculation turns out to be a good approximation to the real behavior of the lithium (Li) flow of the target of the international fusion materials irradiation facility (IFMIF). A three-dimensional (3D) modelling of the IFMIF design Li target assembly, made with the CFD commercial code ANSYS-FLUENT has been carried out. The simulation by a structural mesh is focused on the thermal-hydraulic analysis inside the Li jet flow. For, this purpose, the two deuteron beams energy deposition profile is modelled as an energy source term inside the volume of liquid affected. Turbulence is estimated using the RNG k– model, and a surface-tracking technique applied to a fixed Eulerian mesh called volume of fluid (VOF) is used to determine the position of the free surface. Calculations varying the jet velocity from a range of 10–20 m/s, show that maximum calculated temperatures are still below the lithium's boiling point, due to the increase of the pressure induced by centrifugal forc
Volition versus feasibility: state aid when aid is looked upon favourably: the broadband example

The European Commission published on September 30, 2009, Guidelines for the application of State aid rules in relation to rapid deployment of broadband networks. These Guidelines are applicable to two markets that are connected, although somewhat different. In “traditional” or “first generation” broadband networks, public intervention mainly relates to rural communities or areas which are economically underdeveloped. Therefore, a corrective nature of the aid is maintained. However, the Guidelines are also applied to accelerate the deployment of next-generation access (NGA) networks, which implies a driving conception of State aid, as this is an emerging market and there are relatively few Europeans who have access to these networks. The analysis of these Guidelines thus seems relevant due to its novelty and, particularly, to the results that it can bring
Trade policies, concentration, growth and welfare

The aim of this paper is to analyse, through a theoretical model, the effects that the trade integration of two countries may have on industrial location, growth and welfare. 
The conclusions reached finally depend both on whether the import or the export costs are affected by the trade policies on which the integration process is based and on whether the rich or the poor country introduces them. In general, when integration leads to an increase of industrial concentration in the rich country, the growth rate increases and welfare improves in both countries. If integration means that industry moves to the poor country, the growth rate decreases; in spite of this, in this case the poor country can also improve its welfare.
Evaluation of the visual stress grading standard on French Spruce (Picea excelsa) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) sawn timber

We wish to thank J.C. Sève and S. Vives from
Monnet-Sève sawmills who provided us with the two batches of
boards. Acknowledgments also go to people from LaBoMap, especially
J.C. Butaud who helped us during the tests. Finally, we thank
L. Brancheriau from CIRAD, who assisted us with the data exploitation.In this paper an evaluation of the visual grading standard for softwood sawn timber was made.
• In order to do so, visual grading according to EN 518 and theoretical grading according to EN 338
and EN 384 (measurements of MOE, MOR and density) were applied to lumber. Two batches of
111 and 102 French boards were graded, respectively, of Spruce (Picea excelsa) and Douglas-fir
(Pseudotsuga menziesii). For the visual grading the most discriminant criterion was noted: knots,
cracks, wane, etc.
• Finally, the results of the two grading methods were compared, and it was shown that the visual
stress grading gave quite low results for our two French species
Socioeconomic Position and Health-Seeking Behavior for Hearing Loss Among Older Adults in England

Objective. To examine whether socioeconomic position (SEP) is associated with progression in the health-seeking process for hearing loss. Method. Logistic regression of data from a cross-sectional survey representative of noninstitutionalized, 50 years and older population of England (ELSA wave 2, 2004). Using self-reported hearing difficulty as starting point, we examined the association between SEP and health-seeking behaviors in 6 stages leading to hearing aid acquisition and use. Results. Higher SEP was associated with lower odds of self-reported hearing difficulty, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83–0.91, p < .001). There was marginal negative association between higher SEP and receiving hearing aid recommendation (adjusted OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.78–0.99, p = .05). SEP was not associated with any other stage of health-seeking behavior. Discussion. Among the noninstitutionalized older population of England, SEP-related inequalities exist in the prevalence of self-reported hearing loss. However, SEP is not strongly associated with progression in the remaining stages of health-seeking process during and after an individual’s contact with the health system
Increasing gap in human height between rich and poor countries associated to their different intakes of N and P

We analyzed mean height of men born in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s in 80 countries. Both height and the change in height during the last decades were correlated with N and P intake, as well as the N:P intake ratio. Rich countries had higher per capita N and P intake than poor countries (on average 19.5 ± 0.3 versus 9.66 ± 0.18 kg N y−1 and 2.17 ± 0.04 versus 1.35 ± 0.02 kg P y−1), and also larger increases in per capita N intake (12.1 ± 2.0% vs. 7.0 ± 2.1%) and P intake (7.6 ± 1.0% vs 6.01 ± 0.7%), during the period 1961–2009. The increasing gap in height trends between rich and poor countries is associated with an increasing gap in nutrition, so a more varied diet with higher N, P, and N:P intake is a key factor to improve food intake quality in poor countries and thus shorten the gap with rich countries. More N and P are needed with the consequent requirements for a better management of the socioeconomic and environmental associated problems