pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Inhibition, Enhancement, and Control of Spontaneous Emission in Photonic Nanowires

International audienceWe experimentally investigate the spontaneous emission (SE) rates of single InAs quantum dots embedded in GaAs photonic nanowires. For a diameter leading to the optimal confinement of the fundamental guided mode HE11, the coupling to HE11 dominates the SE process and an increase of the SE rate by a factor of 1.5 is achieved. When the diameter is decreased, the coupling to this mode vanishes rapidly, thus allowing the coupling to the other radiation modes to be probed. In these conditions, a SE inhibition factor of 16, equivalent to the one obtained in state-of-the-art photonic crystals, is measured. These results, which are supported by fully vectorial calculations, confirm the potential of photonic nanowires for a nearly perfect, broadband SE control
Formalisation and use of competencies for industrial performance optimisation : a survey.

For many years, industrial performance has been implicitly considered as deriving from the optimisation of technological and material resources (machines, inventories,...), made possible by centralized organisations. The topical requirements for reactive and flexible industrial systems have progressively reintroduced the human workforce as the main source of industrial performance. Making this paradigm operational requires the identification and careful formalisation of the link between human resource and industrial performance, through concepts like skills, competencies or know-how. This paper provides a general survey of the formalisation and integration of competence-oriented concepts within enterprise information systems and decision systems, aiming at providing new methods and tools for performance management
Competing Visions: Domestic Forests, Politics and Forest Policy in the Central Western Ghats of South India

International audienceRural people in developing countries including India continue to access a number of types of 'forests' to meet specific needs such as fuelwood, fodder, food, non-timber forest produce and timber for both subsistence and income generation. While a plethora of terms exist to describe the types of forests that rural people use—such as farm forests, social forests, community forests and small-scale for-ests—the expression domestic forest has recently been proposed. Domestic forest is a term aimed at capturing the diversity of forests transformed and managed by rural communities and a way to introduce a new scientific domain that recognises that production and conservation can be reconciled and that local communities can be effective managers. This paper argues in the context of the central Western Ghats of south India that while the domestic forest concept is a useful umbrella term to capture the diversity of forests used by rural people, these domestic forests are often not autonomous local forests but sites of contestation between local actors and the state forest bureaucracy. Hence, a paradigm shift within the forest bureaucracy will only occur if the scientific forestry community questions its own normative views on forest management and sees forest policy as a means to recognise local claims and support existing practices of forest dependent communities
Coronal mass ejection-related particle acceleration regions during a simple eruptive event

International audienceAn intriguing feature of many solar energetic particle (SEP) events is the detection of particles over a very extended range of longitudes in the heliosphere. This may be due to peculiarities of the magnetic field in the corona, to a broad accelerator, to cross-field transport of the particles, or to a combination of these processes. The eruptive flare on 26 April 2008 provided an opportunity to study relevant processes under particularly favourable conditions since it occurred in a very quiet solar and interplanetary environment. This enabled us to investigate the physical link between a single well-identified coronal mass ejection (CME), electron acceleration as traced by radio emission, and the production of SEPs. We conduct a detailed analysis, which combines radio observations (Nançay Radio Heliograph and Nançay Decametre Array, Wind/Waves spectrograph) with remote-sensing observations of the corona in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and white light, as well as in situ measurements of energetic particles near 1AU (SoHO and STEREO spacecraft). By combining images taken from multiple vantage points, we were able to derive the time-dependent evolution of the 3D pressure front that was developing around the erupting CME. Magnetic reconnection in the post-CME current sheet accelerated electrons, which remained confined in closed magnetic fields in the corona, while the acceleration of escaping particles can be attributed to the pressure front ahead of the expanding CME. The CME accelerated electrons remotely from the parent active region, owing to the interaction of its laterally expanding flank, which was traced by an EUV wave, with the ambient corona. SEPs detected at one STEREO spacecraft and SoHO were accelerated later, when the frontal shock of the CME intercepted the spacecraft-connected interplanetary magnetic field line. The injection regions into the heliosphere inferred from the radio and SEP observations are separated in longitude by about 140 •. The observations for this event show that it is misleading to interpret multi-spacecraft SEP measurements in terms of one acceleration region in the corona. The different acceleration regions are linked to different vantage points in the interplanetary space
Proteomic investigation of enzymes involved in 2-ethylhexyl nitrate biodegradation in Mycobacterium austroafricanum IFP 2173.

International audience2-Ethyhexyl nitrate (2-EHN) is a synthetic chemical used as a diesel fuel additive, which is recalcitrant to biodegradation. In this study, the enzymes involved in 2-EHN degradation were investigated in Mycobacterium austroafricanum IFP 2173. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and a shotgun proteomic approach, a total of 398 proteins appeared to be more abundant in cells exposed to 2-EHN than in acetate-grown cells. This set of proteins includes multiple isoenzymes of the beta-oxidation pathway, two alcohol and one aldehyde dehydrogenase, as well as four cytochromes P450, including one CYP153 which functions as an alkane hydroxylase. Strain IFP 2173 was also found to contain two alkB-like genes encoding putative membrane-bound alkane hydroxylases. RT-PCR experiments showed that the gene encoding the CYP153 protein, as well as alkB genes, were expressed on 2-EHN. These findings are discussed in the light of a recently proposed 2-EHN degradation pathway involving an initial attack by an alkane hydroxylase and one turn of beta-oxidation, leading to the accumulation of a gamma-lactone as a dead-end product
Afterglow mode and the new Micro Pulsed Beam mode applied to an ECR Ion Source

International audienceAn increasing number of experiments in the field of low energy ion physics (< 25 keV/charge) requires pulsed beams of highly charged ions. Whereas for high-intensity beams (> µA) a pulsed beam chopper, installed downstream to the analyzing dipole, is used. For low-intensity beams (< 100 nA) the ion intensity delivered during the pulse may be increased by operating the ECR discharge in the afterglow mode [1]. This method gives satisfactory results (ie average current during the beam pulse is higher than the current in the CW mode) for high charge state ions. In this paper, we report on results of the afterglow mode for beams of 22Neq+, 36Arq+ and 84Krq+ ions. Furthermore, a new promising “Micro Pulsed Beam” mode will be described with encouraging preliminary results for 84Kr27+ and 36Ar17+ ions
Coalition formation: the role of procedure and policy flexibility

International audienceA spatial model of coalition formation is used together with data from Dutch elections and theoretical instances to study different procedures of coalition formation. The model shows that procedure plays an important role in reaching a coalition agreement and that political parties do not necessarily benefit from being a first-mover. Moreover, it is shown that a decrease in a party's flexibility can be (dis)advantageous in coalition negotiations. Furthermore, certain power sharing tactics appear not always to lead to an agreement that is in a party's advantage. The main message put forward is that the procedure of forming a coalition plays a more important role than is usually acknowledged in literature and practice
Temperature dependence of binding and catalysis for human serum arylesterase/paraoxonase.

International audience: The influence of temperature upon the hydrolysis of phenyl acetate, catalysed by purified human serum arylesterase/paraoxonase (E. C. 3.1.8.1), was studied in the temperature range 10 °C-40 °C by spectrophotometry in TRIS buffer, pH 8.0, using both initial rate analysis and progress curve analysis. The kinetic parameters (catalytic constant kcat; Michaelis constant Km; product inhibition constant Kp) were determined by nonlinear regression. All parameters increased with temperature, but the ratios kcat/Km and Kp/Km remained practically constant. Binding of both substrate and reaction product (phenol) was exothermic. A negative entropic term accounted for about 50% of the enthalpy change for both the binding and catalytic steps. Thermodynamic analysis suggested that: (1) the rate-limiting step is the nucleophilic attack of the carbonyl group of the substrate by a water molecule, (2) the active site is preorganized with no induced fit, (3) the enzyme-bound calcium plays an important role in stabilizing both the substrate and the transition state. The practical implications of these results are discussed
Modelling targets for anticancer drug control optimisation in physiologically structured cell population models

International audienceThe main two pitfalls of therapeutics in clinical oncology, that limit increasing drug doses, are unwanted toxic side effects on healthy cell populations and occurrence of resistance to drugs in cancer cell populations. Depending on the constraint considered in the control problem at stake, toxicity or drug resistance, we present two different ways to model the evolution of proliferating cell populations, healthy and cancer, under the control of anti-cancer drugs. In the first case, we use a McKendrick age-structured model of the cell cycle, whereas in the second case, we use a model of evolutionary dynamics, physiologically structured according to a continuous phenotype standing for drug resistance. In both cases, we mention how drug targets may be chosen so as to accurately represent the effects of cytotoxic and of cytostatic drugs, separately, and how one may consider the problem of optimisation of combined therapies
Minimum mean-square-error expression of LMMSE channel estimation in SISO OFDM systems

International audienceAn expression of the minimum mean square error (MMSE) of the linear MMSE channel estimation is given in the case of a non-invertible channel covariance matrix, as in single-input single-output (SISO) OFDM system. A matrix expression, already proposed for a multi-input multi-output OFDM system in a previous article, is not valid in SISO. A new proof is then proposed, by deriving a scalar expression of the MMSE, which leads to solve an optimisation problem. Furthermore, we show that the proposed solution is the global minimum. Simulations validate the proposed development
Progress towards Bell-type polarization experiment with thermal neutrons

Experimental tests of Bell-type inequalities distinguishing between quantum mechanics and local realistic theories remain of considerable interest if performed on massive particles, for which no conclusive result has yet been obtained. Only two-particle experiments may specifically test the concept of spatial nonlocality in quantum theory, whereas single-particle experiments may generally test the concept of quantum noncontextuality. Here we have performed the first Bell-type experiment with a beam of thermal-neutron pairs in the singlet state of spin, as originally suggested by J. S. Bell. These measurements confirm the quantum-theoretical predictions, in agreement with the results of the well-known polarization experiments carried out on optical photons years ago
Nanomachining of (110)-oriented silicon by scanning probe lithography and anisotropic wet etching

[[abstract]]We have demonstrated that silicon nanostructures with high aspect ratios, having similar to 400 nm structural height and similar to 55 nm lateral dimension, may be fabricated by scanning probe lithography and aqueous KOH orientation-dependent etching on the H-passivated (110) Si wafer. The high spatial resolution of fabricated features is achieved by using the atomic force microscope based nano-oxidation process in ambient. Due to the large (110)/(111) anisotropic ratio of etch rate and the large Si/SiO2 etch selectivity at a relatively low etching temperature and an optimal KOH concentration, high-aspect-ratio gratings with (111)-oriented structural sidewalls as well as hexagonal etch pit structures determined by the terminal etch geometry can be obtained.[[fileno]]2010109010018[[department]]物理
Experimental Study of the Plasma Resonance in a Planar Surface Wave Plasma

[[abstract]]In this study, the plasma resonance in a surface wave sustained plasma was investigated. Surface wave discharges have been successfully generated by a microwave planar vane-type slow wave structure. Experimental results clearly demonstrated that the amplitude of the electric field of the microwave always became a local maximum in the position where the plasma density was equal to the same value. When the operating gas pressure and the input microwave power were varied to change the plasma density profile, the location of the maximum of the electric field was found to shift in compliance with the plasma density profile. Meanwhile, the peak of the resonance response was found to be proportional to the plasma density gradient while the spatial width of plasma resonance was inversely proportional to the plasma density gradient. These results were qualitatively in accordance with the theory.[[fileno]]2010137010009[[department]]物理
Interleukin-6 promoter polymorphism interacts with pain and life stress influencing depression phenotypes

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has emerged as a potent biomarker for depression as its elevated plasma levels in patients with clinical depression have been confirmed by meta-analyses. Increased plasma IL-6 concentration was associated with various psychological stress factors and physical disorders accompanied by pain. Another modulator of the IL-6 level is rs1800795, a promoter polymorphism in the IL-6 gene which is able to influence its expression rate. Therefore, we examined in a Hungarian population sample of 1053 volunteers with European origins if rs1800795 polymorphism can affect depression symptoms measured by Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (ZSDS), and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). We also investigated the interactions of the polymorphism with reported painful physical conditions and Recent Negative Life Events (RLE) measured by the List of Life Threatening Experiences. Rs1800795 significantly interacted with both RLE and painful condition on depressive symptoms measured by ZSDS and BSI using different heritability models, while no main effects of the polymorphism were identified. After correction for multiple testing only the rs1800795 × RLE interaction effect (recessive model) remained significant on the BSI score, while both RLE and painful conditions significantly interacted on the ZSDS. In conclusion, the functional IL-6 rs1800795 polymorphism in interaction with various stress factors increases the risk of depression and has a greater impact on symptoms measured by the ZSDS. Thus, IL-6 and other cytokines may be more relevant in the development of somatic symptoms compared to affective signs of depression, delineating a specific genotype-phenotype relationship in this heterogeneous disorder
Quantifying uncertainties influencing the long-term impacts of oil prices on energy markets and carbon emissions

Oil prices have fluctuated remarkably in recent years. Previous studies have analysed the impacts of future oil prices on the energy system and greenhouse gas emissions, but none have quantitatively assessed how the broader, energy-system-wide impacts of diverging oil price futures depend on a suite of critical uncertainties. Here we use the MESSAGE integrated assessment model to study several factors potentially influencing this interaction, thereby shedding light on which future unknowns hold the most importance. We find that sustained low or high oil prices could have a major impact on the global energy system over the next several decades; and depending on how the fuel substitution dynamics play out, the carbon dioxide consequences could be significant (for example, between 5 and 20% of the budget for staying below the internationally agreed 2 ∘C target). Whether or not oil and gas prices decouple going forward is found to be the biggest uncertainty
Influence of temperature and salinity on hydrodynamic forces

Sobre el diagrama de fuerzas de inercia y de arrastre en un pilote empleado en energía eólica marina se analiza el efecto de la temperatura y la salinidad y, por ello, la relevancia en la turbulencia, Reynolds, CD y CM respectivamente.\ud
The\ud
purpose\ud
of\ud
this\ud
study\ud
is\ud
to\ud
introduce\ud
an\ud
innovative\ud
approach\ud
to\ud
offshore\ud
engineering\ud
so\ud
as\ud
to\ud
take\ud
variations\ud
in\ud
sea\ud
temperature\ud
and\ud
salinity\ud
into\ud
account\ud
in\ud
the\ud
calculation\ud
of\ud
hydrodynamic\ud
forces.\ud
With\ud
this\ud
in\ud
mind,\ud
a\ud
thorough\ud
critical\ud
analysis\ud
of\ud
the\ud
influence\ud
of\ud
sea\ud
temperature\ud
and\ud
salinity\ud
on\ud
hydrodynamic\ud
forces\ud
on\ud
piles\ud
like\ud
those\ud
used\ud
nowadays\ud
in\ud
offshore\ud
wind\ud
farms\ud
will\ud
be\ud
carried\ud
out.\ud
This\ud
influence\ud
on\ud
hydrodynamic\ud
forces\ud
occurs\ud
through\ud
a\ud
change\ud
in\ud
water\ud
density\ud
and\ud
viscosity\ud
due\ud
to\ud
temperature\ud
and\ud
salinity\ud
variation.\ud
Therefore,\ud
the\ud
aim\ud
here\ud
is\ud
to\ud
observe\ud
whether\ud
models\ud
currently\ud
used\ud
to\ud
estimate\ud
wave\ud
forces\ud
on\ud
piles\ud
are\ud
valid\ud
for\ud
different\ud
ranges\ud
of\ud
sea\ud
temperature\ud
and\ud
salinity\ud
apart\ud
from\ud
observing\ud
the\ud
limit\ud
when\ud
diffraction\ud
or\ud
nonlinear\ud
effects\ud
arise\ud
combining\ud
both\ud
effects\ud
with\ud
the\ud
magnitude\ud
of\ud
the\ud
pile\ud
diameter.\ud
Hence,\ud
specific\ud
software\ud
has\ud
been\ud
developed\ud
to\ud
simulate\ud
equations\ud
in\ud
fluid\ud
mechanics\ud
taking\ud
into\ud
account\ud
nonlinear\ud
and\ud
diffraction\ud
effects.\ud
This\ud
software\ud
enables\ud
wave\ud
produced\ud
forces\ud
on\ud
a\ud
cylinder\ud
supported\ud
on\ud
the\ud
sea\ud
bed\ud
to\ud
be\ud
calculated.\ud
The\ud
study\ud
includes\ud
observations\ud
on\ud
the\ud
calculation\ud
model’s\ud
sensitivity\ud
as\ud
to\ud
a\ud
variation\ud
in\ud
the\ud
cylinder’s\ud
diameter,\ud
on\ud
the\ud
one\ud
hand\ud
and,\ud
on\ud
the\ud
other,\ud
as\ud
to\ud
temperature\ud
and\ud
salinity\ud
variation.\ud
This\ud
software\ud
will\ud
enable\ud
an\ud
iterative\ud
calculation\ud
to\ud
be\ud
made\ud
for\ud
finding\ud
out\ud
the\ud
shape\ud
the\ud
pressure\ud
wave\ud
caused\ud
when\ud
a\ud
wave\ud
passes\ud
over\ud
will\ud
have\ud
for\ud
different\ud
pile\ud
diameters\ud
and\ud
water\ud
with\ud
different\ud
temperature\ud
and\ud
salinity
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.
Alginate microparticles as novel carrier for oral insulin delivery

Alginate microparticles produced by emulsification/internal gelation were investigated as a promising carrier for insulin delivery. The procedure involves the dispersion of alginate solution containing insulin protein, into a water immiscible phase. Gelation is triggered in situ by instantaneous release of ionic calcium from carbonate complex via gentle pH adjustment. Particle size is controlled through the emulsification parameters, yielding insulin-loaded microparticles. Particle recovery was compared using several washing protocols. Recovery strategies are proposed and the influence on particle mean size, morphology, recovery yield (RY), encapsulation efficiency, insulin release profile, and structural integrity of released insulin were evaluated. Spherical micron-sized particles loaded with insulin were produced. The recovery process was optimized, improving yield, and ensuring removal of residual oil from the particle surface. The optimum recovery strategy consisted in successive washing with a mixture of acetone/hexane/isopropanol coupled with centrifugation. This strategy led to small spherical particles with an encapsulation efficiency of 80% and a RY around 70%. In vitro release studies showed that alginate itself was not able to suppress insulin release in acidic media; however, this strategy preserves the secondary structure of insulin. Particles had a mean size lower than the critical diameter necessary to be orally absorbed through the intestinal mucosa followed by their passage to systemic circulation and thus can be considered as a promising technology for insulin delivery. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;96:977-989. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bit.2116