pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Poor glycemic control in type 2 diabetes in the South of the Sahara: the issue of limited access to an HbA1c  test

International audienceBackgroundManagement of type 2 diabetes remains a challenge in Africa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of poor glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes living in sub-Saharan.Patients and methodsThis was a cross-sectional study involving 1267 people (61% women) with type 2 diabetes (mean age 58 years) recruited across health facilities in Cameroon and Guinea. Predictors of poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥7.0% (53 mmol/mol)) were investigated via logistic regressions.ResultsThe mean body mass index was 27.4 ± 5.8 kg/m2, and 74% of patients had poor glycemic control. Predictors of poor glycemic control in multivariable regression models were recruitment in Guinea [odd ratio: 2.91 (95% confidence interval 2.07 to 4.11)], age <65 years [1.40 (1.04 to 1.88)], diabetes duration ≥3 years [2.36 (1.74 to 3.21)], treatment with: oral glucose control agents [3.46 (2.28 to 5.26)], insulin alone or with oral glucose control agents [7.74 (4.70 to 12.74)] and absence of a previous HbA1c measurement in Guinea [2.96 (1.30 to 6.75)].ConclusionPoor control of blood glucose is common in patients with type 2 diabetes in these two countries. Limited access to HbA1c appears to be a key factor associated with poor glycemic control in Guinea, and should be addressed by health policies targeting improvement in the outcomes of diabetes care
Barriers to procreational intentions among cancer survivors 2 years after diagnosis: a French national cross-sectional survey.

International audienceObjectives: To determine the procreational intention rates among cancer survivors whose fertility was unimpaired and to identify the factors associated with their procreational intentions.Methods: Six thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven adult cancer patients treated between September and October 2002 were randomly selected from the French National Health Insurance Fund's Chronic Disease File. Of the 6957, 4270 responded to a cross-sectional questionnaire 2 years after diagnosis, of whom 959 reported being fertile and responded to a question about their procreational intentions.Results: Among the 257 male and female survivors aged 20-44, 86 (33.5%) had procreational intentions. After adjusting for age, gender, and already having children, only a high educational level (adjusted odds ratio: 3.1, 95% confidence interval 1.3-7.8) and stable or increasing financial resources (2.4, 1.0-5.7) were independently associated with the respondents' procreational intentions. Neither cancer stage at diagnosis nor the present stage significantly affected their plans in this respect.Conclusions: Two years after cancer diagnosis, the reasons why some survivors who are still fertile have no parenthood projects were similar to those earlier given by members of the general population. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Swift heavy ion irradiation of water ice from MeV to GeV          energies

International audienceContext. Cosmic ray ion irradiation affects the chemical composition of          and triggers physical changes in interstellar ice mantles in space. One of the primary          structural changes induced is the loss of porosity, and the mantles evolve toward a more          compact amorphous state. Previously, ice compaction was monitored at low to moderate ion          energies. The existence of a compaction threshold in stopping power has been          suggested.Aims. In this article we experimentally study the effect of heavy ion          irradiation at energies closer to true cosmic rays. This minimises extrapolation and          allows a regime where electronic interaction always dominates to be explored, providing          the ice compaction cross section over a wide range of electronic stopping power.Methods. High-energy ion irradiations provided by the GANIL accelerator,          from the MeV up to the GeV range, are combined with in-situ infrared spectroscopy          monitoring of ice mantles. We follow the IR spectral evolution of the ice as a function of          increasing fluence (induced compaction of the initial microporous amorphous ice into a          more compact amorphous phase). We use the number of OH dangling bonds of the water          molecule, i.e. pending OH bonds not engaged in a hydrogen bond in the initially porous ice          structure as a probe of the phase transition. These high-energy experiments are combined          with lower energy experiments using light ions (H, He) from other facilities in Catania,          Italy, and Washington, USA.Results. We evaluated the cross section for the disappearance of OH          dangling bonds as a function of electronic stopping power. A cross-section law in a large          energy range that includes data from different ice deposition setups is established. The          relevant phase structuring time scale for the ice network is compared to interstellar          chemical time scales using an astrophysical model.Conclusions. The presence of a threshold in compaction at low stopping          power suggested in some previous works seems not to be confirmed for the high-energy          cosmic rays encountered in interstellar space. Ice mantle porosity or pending bonds          monitored by the OH dangling bonds is removed efficiently by cosmic rays. As a          consequence, this considerably reduces the specific surface area available for surface          chemical reactions
Formation of high-valent iron-oxo species in superoxide reductase: characterization by resonance Raman spectroscopy.

International audienceSuperoxide reductase (SOR), a non-heme mononuclear iron protein that is involved in superoxide detoxification in microorganisms, can be used as an unprecedented model to study the mechanisms of O2 activation and of the formation of high-valent iron-oxo species in metalloenzymes. By using resonance Raman spectroscopy, it was shown that the mutation of two residues in the second coordination sphere of the SOR iron active site, K48 and I118, led to the formation of a high-valent iron-oxo species when the mutant proteins were reacted with H2O2. These data demonstrate that these residues in the second coordination sphere tightly control the evolution and the cleavage of the O-O bond of the ferric iron hydroperoxide intermediate that is formed in the SOR active site
Analog E1 transitions and isospin mixing

We investigate whether isospin mixing can be determined in a model-independent way from the relative strength of E1 transitions in mirror nuclei. The specific examples considered are the A=31 and A=35 mirror pairs, where a serious discrepancy between the strengths of 7/2--->5/2+ transitions in the respective mirror nuclei has been observed. A theoretical analysis of the problem suggests that it ought to be possible to disentangle the isospin mixing in the initial and final states given sufficient information on experimental matrix elements. With this in mind, we obtain a lifetime for the relevant 7/2- state in 31S using the Doppler-shift attenuation method. We then collate the available information on matrix elements to examine the level of isospin mixing for both A=31 and A=35 mirror pairs
Constitution of a catchment virtual observatory for sharing flow and transport models outputs

International audiencePredicting hydrological catchment behaviour based on measurable (and preferably widely available) catchment characteristics has been one of the main goals of hydrological modelling. Residence time distributions provide synoptic information about catchment functioning and can be useful metrics to predict their behaviours. Moreover, residence time distributions highlight a wide range of characteristic scales (spatial and temporal) and mixing processes. However, catchment-specific heterogeneity means that the link between residence time distributions and catchment characteristics is complex. Investigating this link for a wide range of catchments could reveal the role of topography, geology, land-use, climate and other factors in controlling catchment hydrology. Meaningful comparison is often challenging given the diversity of data and model structures and formats. To address this need, we are introducing a new virtual platform called Catchment virtual Observatory for Sharing flow and transport models outputs (COnSOrT). The goal of COnSOrT is to promote catchment intercomparison by sharing calibrated model outputs. Compiling commensurable results in COnSOrT will help evaluate model performance, quantify inter-catchment controls on hydrology, and identify research gaps and priorities in catchment science. Researchers interested in sharing or using calibrated model results are invited to participate in the virtual observatory. Participants may test post-processing methods on a wide range of catchment environments to evaluate the generality of their findings
The K-derived MLT sector geomagnetic indices

International audienceNew subauroral K-derived sector indices are proposed. They are based on the K local geomagnetic activity indices from the planetary am network stations, and their derivation scheme draws directly from that of am indices. Four Magnetic Local Time (MLT) sectors are considered, leading to four different K-derived MLT sector indices: the aσDawn (03-09 MLT), aσNoon (09-15 MLT), aσDusk (15-21 MLT), and aσMidnight (21-03 MLT) indices. They cover more than four solar cycles and, thus, allow robust statistical analysis. Statistical studies of the whole aσ data series and case studies for two geomagnetic storms are presented. These analyses clearly show that the four aσ have specific behaviors and that it is possible to get insight into both the statistical properties of the physical processes responsible for the observed geomagnetic activity and contribution to the dynamics of a given storm
Climate policies as a hedge against the uncertainty on future oil supply

International audienceDespite the inextricable link between oil scarcity and climate change, the interplay between these two issues is paradoxically an underworked area. This article uses a global energy-economy model to address the link between future oil supply and climate change and assesses in a common framework both the costs of climate policies and oil scarcity. It shows that, in the context of a limited and uncertain amount of ultimately recoverable oil resources, climate policies reduce the world vulnerability to peak oil. Climate policies, therefore, appear as a hedging strategy against the uncertainty on oil resources, in addition to their main aim of avoiding dangerous climate change. This co-benefit is estimated at the net present value of US$11,500 billion. Eventually, reducing the risk of future economic losses due to oil scarcity may appear as a significant side-benefit of climate policies to many decision-makers
Conditions and mechanism for the formation of iron-rich Montmorillonite in deep sea sediments (Costa Rica margin): Coupling high resolution mineralogical characterization and geochemical modeling

International audienceIron-rich smectite is commonly described in the diagenetic fraction of deep-sea sediment, as millimeter to centimeter aggregates dispersed in the sediment, or as a coating on sedimentary particles or nodules. This study examines several factors to elucidate formation mechanisms of a particular iron-rich smectite and its potential transformation to glauconite. The study combines a detailed mineralogical investigation on natural samples and a chemical modeling approach to assess mineralogical reactions and pathways. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations and analytical electron microscopy (TEM-AEM) analyses were conducted on microtomed samples of millimeter- to centimeter-long green grains. These grains are widespread in pelagic calcareous sediment from the Costa Rica margin. They are composed of pyrites that are partially dissolved and are surrounded by amorphous or very poorly crystallized iron-rich particles. Iron-rich montmorillonite grows from an amorphous precursor and its formation requires the input of Si, O, Mg, K, Na and Ca; our results suggest that these inputs are supported by the dissolution of sedimentary phases such as volcanic glasses, siliceous fossils and silicates. Thermodynamic modeling of fluid-sediment interactions was conducted with the geochemical computer code PhreeqC, using mineralogical and pore fluid compositions from sediment samples and calculated estimates for thermodynamic constants of smectites that are not maintained by the computer code. Simulations confirm the possibility that the green grains are the product of pyrite alteration by seawater under oxidizing conditions. The extent of smectite production is controlled by the kinetics of pyrite dissolution and fluid migration. The absence of aluminum in the Costa Rica margin system explains the formation of an iron-rich montmorillonite instead of glauconite, whereas the presence of calcite that buffers the system explains the formation of an iron-rich montmorillonite instead of iron oxides
The oldest modern therian mammal from Europe and its bearing on stem marsupial paleobiogeography

International audienceWe report the discovery of mammalian tribosphenic teeth from the basal Cenomanian of southwestern France that we refer to a new primitive marsupial-like form identified as a basal taxon of Mar- supialiformes, a new clade recognized here to include the crown group Marsupialia and primitive stem lineages more closely related to Marsupialia than to Deltatheroida. Arcantiodelphys marchandi gen et sp nov. shares several significant marsupial-like features (s.l.) with marsupialiform taxa known from the North American Mid-Cretaceous. Among marsupialiforms, it shows a closer resem-blance to Dakotadens. This resemblance, which is plesiomorphic within ''tribotherians,'' makes Arcantiodelphys one of the most archaic known Marsupialiformes. Moreover, Arcantiodelphys is characterized by an original and precocious crushing specialization. Both the plesiomorphic and autapomorphic characteristics of Arcantiodelphys among Marsupialiformes might be explained by an Eastern origin from Asian stem metatherians, with some in situ European evolution. In addition, the presence of a mammal with North American affinities in western Europe during the early Late Cretaceous provides further evidence of a large Euramerican bio-geographical province at this age or slightly before. Concerning the paleobiogeographical history of the first stem marsupialiforms during the Albian­Cenomanian interval, 2 possible dispersal routes from an Asian metatherian ancestry can be proposed: Asia to Europe via North America and Asia to North America via Europe. The main significance of the Archingeay-Les Nouillers mammal discovery is that it indicates that the beginning of the stem marsupialiforms history involved not only North America but also Europe, and that this early history in Europe remains virtually unknown
Pressure of a partially ionized hydrogen gas : numerical results from exact low temperature expansions

8 pagesInternational audienceWe consider a partially ionized hydrogen gas at low densities, where it reduces almost to an ideal mixture made with hydrogen atoms in their ground-state, ionized protons and ionized electrons. By performing systematic low-temperature expansions within the physical picture, in which the system is described as a quantum electron-proton plasma interacting via the Coulomb potential, exact formulae for the first five leading corrections to the ideal Saha equation of state have been derived [A. Alastuey, V. Ballenegger et al., J. Stat. Phys. 130, 1119 (2008)]. Those corrections account for all effects of interactions and thermal excitations up to order $\exp(E_H/kT)$ included, where $E_H \simeq -13.6$ eV is the ground state energy of the hydrogen atom. Among the five leading corrections, three are easy to evaluate, while the remaining ones involve suitably truncated internal partition functions of $H_2$ molecules and $H^-$ and $H_2^+$ ions, for which no analytical formulae are available in closed form. We estimate those partitions functions at finite temperature \textsl{via} a simple phenomenology based on known values of rotational and vibrational energies. This allows us to compute numerically the leading deviations to the Saha pressure along several isotherms and isochores. Our values are compared with those of the OPAL tables (for pure hydrogen) calculated within the ACTEX method
Mechanical decoupling of high-pressure crustal units during continental subduction.

International audienceThe mechanics of the transition from continental subduction toward upper crustal nappe stacking is still poorly understood and is studied here through a 2D thermal and strength numerical modelling of a subducted passive margin. Geological observations in the core of most mountain belts show the piling up of several HP-LT upper crustal units that are most likely related to the detachment of upper crustal units from the subducted continental margin and to the subsequent stacking of the detached units at depths. The Adula unit (Lepontine dome, Central Alps, Switzerland) is a long and thin upper crustal unit and is used here as a natural case-study as it provides a well-documented example of these units. 2D thermal modeling shows that two steps, successive in time, characterized the burial history of the passive margin undergoing continental subduction: 1-an increase in the margin strength due to an increase in the confining pressure during the first million years of the margin subduction and 2-the progressive heating of the subducted margin from the overlying lithosphere leads to a decrease in the margin strength due to thermal weakening, which progressively counter-balances the increase in confining pressure. Two strength gradients develop within the subducted lithosphere: 1-along the slab, the strength decreases with increasing burial depth and 2-perpendicular to the slab, the strength increases with depth due to an inverse temperature distribution. The detachment of HP-LT continental units from the subducted margin could occur when the slab strength becomes lower than the applied net stress. This allows the detachment of ductile weakened thin and long upper-crustal units. The thickness and length of the detached crustal units are controlled by the following parameters, in order of their importance: subduction dip angle, crustal rheology, mantle heat flux and subduction velocity. The comparison of our model results with the geometry and PT conditions of the Adula unit yields an estimate of the Alpine subduction dip angle at the time of deformation and metamorphism
On the decomposition of Mars hyperspectral data by ICA and Bayesian positive source separation

International audienceThe surface of Mars is currently being imaged with an unprecedented combination of spectral and spatial resolution. This high resolution, and its spectral range, gives the ability to pinpoint chemical species on the surface and the atmosphere of Mars more accurately than before. The subject of this paper is to present a method to extract informations on these chemicals from hyperspectral images. A first approach, based on independent component analysis (ICA) [P. Comon, Independent component analysis, a new concept? Signal Process. 36 (3) (1994) 287-314], is able to extract artifacts and locations of CO2 and H2O ices. However, the main independence assumption and some basic properties (like the positivity of images and spectra) being unverified, the reliability of all the independent components (ICs) is weak. For improving the component extraction and consequently the endmember classification, a combination of spatial ICA with spectral Bayesian positive source separation (BPSS) [S. Moussaoui, D. Brie, A. Mohammad-Djafari, C. Carteret, Separation of non-negative mixture of non-negative sources using a Bayesian approach and MCMC sampling, IEEE Trans. Signal Process. 54 (11) (2006) 4133-4145] is proposed. To reduce the computational burden, the basic idea is to use spatial ICA yielding a rough classification of pixels, which allows selection of small, but relevant, number of pixels. Then, BPSS is applied for the estimation of the source spectra using the spectral mixtures provided by this reduced set of pixels. Finally, the abundances of the components are assessed on the whole pixels of the images. Results of this approach are shown and evaluated by comparison with available reference spectra
Large-scale doming on Europa: A model of formation of Thera Macula.

International audienceSince Galileo spacecraft reveals Europa's surface at high and medium resolutions, deformation and processes affecting the relatively young surface have been more accurately defined. This work reports the observations carried out on a large-scale feature of the south hemisphere, Thera Macula. It is shown that Thera presents common points with many other features including small-scale domes, lenticulae and large-scale chaotic areas (disrupted ancient surfaces lying on a dark matrix), but remains singular through its asymmetric morphology. On the basis of observations, we propose a scenario for the setting of Thera Macula. It involves a large-scale doming (40–70km in radius) of the pre-existing surface associated with ductile deformations, and the consecutive collapse of the created megadome associated with brittle disruption of blocks and flow of low viscosity material over the surrounding ridged plains. The processes responsible for each stage of the proposed scenario have been investigated. Both cryomagmatic and diapiric origins are discussed and confronted by observations. Finally, comparison of similar features at various scales suggests that Thera Macula by its originalities (asymmetry, rounding bulge) may have preserved the intermediate stages of the formation of subcircular chaos at least up to about 50km in radius. A common evolution and endogenic origin for multi-scale hot spot features is proposed: (1) the doming stage, (2) the collapse and extrusion stage and (3) the relaxation stage
Modal and thermal analysis of Les Arches unstable rock column (Vercors massif, French Alps)

A potentially unstable limestone column (∼1000 m3, Vercors, French Alps) delineated by an open rear fracture was continuously instrumented with two three-component seismic sensors from mid-May 2009 to mid-October 2011. Spectral analysis of seismic noise allowed several resonance frequencies to be determined, ranging from 6 to 21 Hz. The frequency domain decomposition (FDD) technique was applied to the ambient vibrations recorded on the top of the rock column. Three vibration modes were identified at 6, 7.5 and 9 Hz, describing the upper part of corresponding modal shapes. Finite element numerical modelling of the column dynamic response confirmed that the first two modes are bending modes perpendicular and parallel to the fracture, respectively, while the third one corresponds to torsion. Seismic noise monitoring also pointed out that resonance frequencies fluctuate with time, under thermomechanical control. For seasonal cycles, changes in frequency are due to the variations of the bulk elastic properties with temperature. At daily scale, increase in fundamental frequency with temperature has been interpreted as resulting from the rock expansion inducing a closure of the rear fracture rock bridges, hence stiffening the contact between the column and the rock mass. Conversely, the rock contraction induces a fracture opening and a decrease in resonance frequency. In winter, when the temperature drops below 0 ◦C, a dramatic increase in fundamental frequency is observed from 6 Hz to more than 25 Hz, resulting from ice formation in the fracture. During spring, the resonance frequency gradually diminishes with ice melting to reach the value measured before winter