pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Palaeozoic oolitic ironstone of the French Armorican Massif: a chemical and structural trap for orogenic base metal-As-Sb-Au mineralization during Hercynian strike-slip deformation.

In the Saint-Aubin-des-Châteaux quarry (Armorican Hercynian belt, western France), an epigenetic hydrothermal alteration affects an oolitic ironstone layer intercalated within the Lower Ordovician Grès armoricain Formation. The hydrothermal overprint produced pervasive and massive sulphidation with stratoid pyritized lenticular bodies within the oolitic ironstone layer. These sulphide lenses are spatially associated with strike-slip faults and extend laterally from them. Following the massive sulphidation stage (Fe-As, stage 1), subsequent fracturing allowed the deposition of base metals (stage 2) and Pb-Sb-Au (stage 3) parageneses in veins. The dominant brittle structures are vertical extension veins, conjugate shear veins and strike-slip faults of various orders. All these structures are filled with the same paragenetic sequence. Deformation analysis allows the identification of structures that developed incrementally via right lateral simple shear compatible with bulk strain affecting the Central Armorican Domain. Each increment corresponds to a fracture set filled with specific parageneses. Successive hydrothermal pulses reflect clockwise rotation of the horizontal shortening direction. Geothermometry on chlorite and arsenopyrite shows an input of hot hydrothermal fluids (maximum of 390-350°C) during the main sulphide stage 1. The subsequent stages present a marked temperature drop (300-275°C). Lead isotopes suggest that the lead source is similar for all hydrothermal stages and corresponds to the underlying Neo-proterozoic basement. Lead isotope data, relative ages of deformation and comparison with neighbouring deposits suggest large-scale fluid pulses occurred during the whole Hercynian orogeny rather than pulses restricted to the late Hercynian period. The vicinity of the Hercynian internal domain appears as a key-control for deformation and fluid flow in the oolitic ironstones which acted as a chemical and structural trap for the hydrothermal fluids. The epigenetic mineralization of Saint-Aubin-des-Châteaux appears to be very similar to epigenetic sulphidation described in BIF-hosted gold deposits
Approximations of Shape Metrics and Application to Shape Warping and Empirical Shape Statistics

International audienceThis chapter proposes a framework for dealing with two problems related to the analysis of shapes: the definition of the relevant set of shapes and that of defining a metric on it. Following a recent research monograph by Delfour and Zolésio [8], we consider the characteristic functions of the subsets of ℝ2 and their distance functions. The L 2 norm of the difference of characteristic functions and the L∞ and the W 1,2 norms of the difference of distance functions define interesting topologies, in particular that induced by the well-known Hausdorff distance. Because of practical considerations arising from the fact that we deal with image shapes defined on finite grids of pixels, we restrict our attention to subsets of ℝ2 of positive reach in the sense of Federer [12], with smooth boundaries of bounded curvature. For this particular set of shapes we show that the three previous topologies are equivalent. The next problem we consider is that of warping a shape onto another by infinitesimal gradient descent, minimizing the corresponding distance. Because the distance function involves an inf, it is not differentiable with respect to the shape. We propose a family of smooth approximations of the distance function which are continuous with respect to the Hausdorff topology, and hence with respect to the other two topologies. We compute the corresponding Gâteaux derivatives. They define deformation flows that can be used to warp a shape onto another by solving an initial value problem. We show several examples of this warping and prove properties of our approximations that relate to the existence of local minima. We then use this tool to produce computational de.nitions of the empirical mean and covariance of a set of shape examples. They yield an analog of the notion of principal modes of variation. We illustrate them on a variety of examples
A framework for multimodal imaging-based prognostic model building: Preliminary study on multimodal MRI in Glioblastoma Multiforme

International audienceIn Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) image-derived features (“radiomics”) could help in individualizing patient management. Simple geometric features of tumors (necrosis, edema, active tumor) and first-order statistics in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are used in clinical practice. However, these features provide limited characterization power because they do not incorporate spatial information and thus cannot differentiate patterns. The aim of this work is to develop and evaluate a methodological framework dedicated to building a prognostic model based on heterogeneity textural features of multimodal MRI sequences (T1, T1-contrast, T2 and FLAIR) in GBM. The proposed workflow consists in i) registering the available 3D multimodal MR images and segmenting the tumor volume, ii) extracting image features such as heterogeneity metrics and iii) building a prognostic model by selecting, ranking and combining optimal features through machine learning (Support Vector Machine). This framework was applied to 40 histologically proven GBM patients with the endpoint being overall survival (OS) classified as above or below the median survival (15 months). The models combining features from a maximum of two modalities were evaluated using leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV). A classification accuracy of 90% (sensitivity 85%, specificity 95%) was obtained by combining features from T1 pre-contrast and T1 post-contrast sequences. Our results suggest that several textural features in each MR sequence have prognostic value in GBM
Dynamic reorganization of functional brain networks during picture naming.

International audienceFor efficient information processing during cognitive activity, functional brain networks have to rapidly and dynamically reorganize on a sub-second time scale. Tracking the spatiotemporal dynamics of large scale networks over this short time duration is a very challenging issue. Here, we tackle this problem by using dense electroencephalography (EEG) recorded during a picture naming task. We found that (i) the picture naming task can be divided into six brain network states (BNSs) characterized by significantly high synchronization of gamma (30–45 Hz) oscillations, (ii) fast transitions occur between these BNSs that last from 30 msec to 160 msec, (iii) based on the state of the art of the picture naming task, we consider that the spatial location of their nodes and edges, as well as the timing of transitions, indicate that each network can be associated with one or several specific function (from visual processing to articulation) and (iv) the comparison with previously-used approach aimed at localizing the sources showed that the network-based approach reveals networks that are more specific to the performed task. We speculate that the persistence of several brain regions in successive BNSs participates to fast and efficient information processing in the brain
Photoinduced fluidity in chalcogenide glasses at low and high intensities: A model accounting for photon efficiency

International audienceDetailed measurements of photoinduced fluidity in Ge-Se glasses were performed using a novel shear relaxation test in torsion mode. It is shown that photofluidity is significant even at a very low intensity and that there is no apparent threshold for activating the photostructural processes. Instead, the mechanism of photofluidity is described as a cumulative process involving photoinduced motions of every atom within the irradiated volume. Based on this assumption, a model is proposed, which is shown to accurately predict the power and wavelength dependence of photofluidity using a single fitting parameter n. The factor n represents the photon efficiency for inducing an atomic motion. Photofluidity experiments performed on glass fibers of various mean coordination number indicate that the process is rapidly reduced in overconstrained glasses. The values of n obtained for these glasses correlate remarkably well with the mean coordination dependence of other photostructural changes (photodarkening, photoexpansion). This indicates that the model is physically sound. Moreover, the model is shown to quantitatively describe photofluidity data from other glass systems from literature, therefore suggesting that it could be universally applied to all chalcogenide glasses
What if Dutch investors started worrying about flood risk? Implications for disaster risk reduction

Increasingly, roles and responsibilities of the public sector in flood risk management are receiving attention in research and policy. Part of the debate  suggests that allocating risk to the private sector increases efficiency as it promotes individual adaptation, thereby reducing the impact if a disaster occurs. In this paper, we analyse the macroeconomic effects as risk-averse investors take flood risk into account in their investment decisions. Our  case study is the large Rotterdam area in the Netherlands. Using a spatial computable general equilibium model, we find that the decrease in  investments in risky areas leads to a reduction in capital and production in the large Rotterdam area leading to a reduction in potential monetary  disaster losses, but not to a reduction in population. The reallocation of risk reduces the long-term impacts from a flood on government tax revenues,  but it also leads to welfare losses among households residing in risky regions
Morphological Analysis, Diffusion, and Patterns of Technological Evolution: Ferrous Casting in France and the FRG

The historiography of technical change has demonstrated that the process of technological diffusion is in itself also a developmental process. In other words, it is in its diffusion throughout the economy that a technology acquires its industrial and economic properties, transforms itself, and widens the initial market in which it was adopted. On the basis of these dynamic properties of the diffusion process, some authors have been hasty in inferring the theoretical impossibility of formal representation, since the objective of the diffusion is not the same at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the process. It appears to us, however, that the interest in a formal representation resides precisely in the possibility of periodizing the diffusion process, with the aid of criteria that can take into account the principal transformations of the technology under consideration. The diffusion process can thus be considered as a series of competitions at given times between a technology A, which is in the middle of a transformation, and other technologies (B, C, and D) with respect to those functions that A is successively able to assume. Generally these successive competitions will occur in ever larger markets as A progressively enlarges its initial functional characteristics. It is therefore possible to interpret the characteristics of the diffusion pattern of a given period on the basis of the manner in which competition developed throughout a previous period
Influence of gate leakage current on AlGaN/GaN HEMTs evidenced by low frequency noise and pulsed electrical measurements Influence of gate leakage current on AlGaN/GaN HEMTs evidenced by pulsed I-V and low frequency noise measurements

International audienceThe study of the pulsed drain current or noise characteristics in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs is the key of knowledge for designing the power amplifiers, the low noise amplifiers and the oscillators or mixers, but it is well accepted today that this study is not fully accomplished without pointing on the effect of the gate leakage current; It is obvious that the transistor's leakage current may disturb its operation at high power and high frequency. Leakage currents studies are also an area of great importance in optimization of safe operating area and reliability of HEMTs. Therefore, room temperature pulsed I-V and low frequency noise measurements of gate and drain currents of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs have been investigated under different bias conditions on two devices showing identical drain current and different gate current levels. The results show a correlation between two non-destructive measurement techniques applied on devices under test
A classification of DEA models when the internal structure of the Decision Making Units is considered

We classify the contributions of DEA literature assessing Decision Making Units (DMUs) whose internal structure is known. Starting from an elementary framework, we define the main research areas as shared flow, multilevel and network models, depending on the assumptions they are subject to. For each model category, the principal mathematical formulations are introduced along with their main variants, extensions and applications. We also discuss the results of aggregating efficiency measures and of considering DMUs as submitted to a central authority that imposes constraints or targets on them. A common feature among the several models is that the efficiency evaluation of the DMU depends on the efficiency values of its subunits thereby increasing the discrimination power of DEA methodology with respect to the black box approach
Health Estimates Using Survey Raked-Weighting Techniques in an Australian Population Health Surveillance System

A challenge for population health surveillance systems using telephone methodologies is to maintain representative estimates as response rates decrease. Raked weighting, rather than conventional poststratification methodologies, has been developed to improve representativeness of estimates produced from telephone-based surveillance systems by incorporating a wider range of sociodemographic variables using an iterative proportional fitting process. This study examines this alternative weighting methodology with the monthly South Australian population health surveillance system report of randomly selected people of all ages in 2013 (n = 7,193) using computer-assisted telephone interviewing. Poststratification weighting used age groups, sex, and area of residence. Raked weights included an additional 6 variables: dwelling status, number of people in household, country of birth, marital status, educational level, and highest employment status. Most prevalence estimates (e.g., diabetes and asthma) did not change when raked weights were applied. Estimates that changed by at least 2 percentage points (e.g., tobacco smoking and mental health conditions) were associated with socioeconomic circumstances, such as dwelling status, which were included in the raked-weighting methodology. Raking methodology has overcome, to some extent, nonresponse bias associated with the sampling methodology by incorporating lower socioeconomic groups and those who are routinely not participating in population surveys into the weighting formula
Characterizing the bending and flexibility induced by bulges in DNA duplexes

Advances in DNA nanotechnology have stimulated the search for simple motifs that can be used to control the properties of DNA nanostructures. One such motif, which has been used extensively in structures such as polyhedral cages, two-dimensional arrays, and ribbons, is a bulged duplex, that is, two helical segments that connect at a bulge loop. We use a coarse-grained model of DNA to characterize such bulged duplexes. We find that this motif can adopt structures belonging to two main classes: one where the stacking of the helices at the center of the system is preserved, the geometry is roughly straight, and the bulge is on one side of the duplex and the other where the stacking at the center is broken, thus allowing this junction to act as a hinge and increasing flexibility. Small loops favor states where stacking at the center of the duplex is preserved, with loop bases either flipped out or incorporated into the duplex. Duplexes with longer loops show more of a tendency to unstack at the bulge and adopt an open structure. The unstacking probability, however, is highest for loops of intermediate lengths, when the rigidity of single-stranded DNA is significant and the loop resists compression. The properties of this basic structural motif clearly correlate with the structural behavior of certain nano-scale objects, where the enhanced flexibility associated with larger bulges has been used to tune the self-assembly product as well as the detailed geometry of the resulting nanostructures. We further demonstrate the role of bulges in determining the structure of a "Z-tile," a basic building block for nanostructures
Popliteal Artery Aneurysm Repair in the Endovascular Era: Fourteen-Years Single Center Experience

To compare outcomes of popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) repair by endovascular treatment, great saphenous vein (GSV) bypass, and prosthetic bypass.Single center retrospective analysis of patients presenting PAA from 2000 to 2013. Patients were divided into endovascular treatment (group A); GSV bypass (group B); and prosthetic graft bypass (group C). Outcomes were technical success, perioperative mortality, and morbidity. Survival, primary and secondary patency, and freedom from reintervention rate were estimated. Differences in ankle-brachial index (ABI), in-hospital length of stay (InH-Los), red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, and limb loss were reported. Mean follow-up was 49 (median: 35; 1-145; SD 42) months.Sixty-seven patients were included; 25 in group A, 28 in group B, and 14 in group C. PAA was symptomatic in 23 (34%) cases. Technical success was 100%. No perioperative death occurred. Three (4.5%) perioperative complications were reported with no significant difference between groups (P = 0.866). Five-years estimated survival was 78%. Estimated 5-years primary patency for groups A, B, and C was 71%, 81%, and 69%, respectively (P = 0.19). Estimated 5-years secondary patency for groups A, B, and C was 88%, 85%, and 84% (P = 0.85). Estimated 5-years freedom from reintervention for groups A, B, and C was 62%, 84%, and 70%, respectively (P = 0.16). A significant difference between preoperative ABI versus postoperative ABI was observed (P = 0.001). InH-LoS was significantly shorter in group A (P < 0.001). RBC transfusions were required significantly less in group A when compared to group C (P = 0.045). Overall limb salvage was achieved in all but 1 patient.PAA repair has good early and long-term outcomes with different treatment options. Endovascular treatment was not inferior to surgical repair with a reduced InH-LoS and RBC transfusion. It can be successfully employed even in nonelective setting. A randomized controlled trial with long-term follow-up and appropriate patient inclusion criteria is necessary to compare these 3 treatment options
Charge redistribution in electrochemically-actuated mechanical sensors

International audienceMany proofs of concept studies have established the mechanical sensitivity of functionalized microcantilevers to a large spectrum of target molecules. However, moving to real-life applications also requires the monitored mechanical effect to be highly specific. Moving towards more specificity in cantilever-based sensing, monitoring the mechanical response of electrochemically actuated microcantilevers is then thought to provide a fast, reliable and complementary experimental information to the long-time cantilever bending measurement for the detection of target molecules. Full-field measurements are therefore used to investigate the way the electro-elastic coupling is altered when a microcantilever undergoes decane-thiol adsorption. The proposed technique reveals that the latter results in a charge density redistribution along the cantilever in addition to the local surface passivation. Focusing on the cantilever tip displacement under electrochemical actuation, this redistribution partially compensates the electro-elastic coupling alteration due to the surface passivation, therefore possibly yielding an ambiguous detection result. This effect should be taken into account for the optimal design of specific electrochemically actuated mechanical sensors
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical staff towards obesity management in patients with spinal cord injuries: An international survey of four western European countries

Objective: To (1) examine the opinions of medical staff working in spinal cord injury (SCI) centres (SCICs); (2) evaluate their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards obesity prevention and management; (3) report the number of beds and dietitians available at each SCIC. \ud
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Methods: A 37-item questionnaire was sent to 23 SCICs in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland between September 2012 and January 2013. \ud
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Results: Eighteen SCICs returned the questionnaires for analysis. All respondents stated that they had an interest in obesity treatment but only 2.3% of the respondents received training in obesity management. Sixty-one percent of staff did not consider body mass index (BMI) to be appropriate for use in SCI patients and subsequently less than half of the respondents use BMI routinely. The majority of respondents reported that they are confident in dealing with overweight (74.5%) and obese (66.1%) SCI adults, less than half (44.1%) are confident in treating overweight and obese SCI children. Respondents also indicated the need for nationally adopted guidelines and a lack of physical activity provision. There were 17.5 whole-time equivalent (WTE) dietitians recorded in 22 SCICs, equivalent to 47.8 beds per WTE dietitians (range 10-420). Non-UK SCIC dietitians are significantly better resourced than in UK SCICs (beds per WTE dietitian: 36 vs 124, P=0.035).\ud
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Conclusion: Medical staff expressed the need to participate in obesity prevention and management. Appropriate training should be considered for all medical staff and the development of specific weight management guidelines and dietetic provision should be considered
A learning tool for the ISO/IEC 29110 standard: understanding the project management of basic profile

The “best practices” of international software standards are considered important in improving the software process. The ISO/IEC 29110 standard defines lifecycle profiles for Very Small Entities (VSEs) and VSEs have also been recognized important in the software industry. Since this standard is novel, practitioners need to be actively engaged in their own learning. Serious games offer the potential not only to entertain and educate, but can also operate as a strategy for promoting the standard itself. The findings of this explorative study make possible an initial judgment about its potential as a fun standard learning tool as well as to analyze its pertinence, engagement, strengths, and weaknesses as guidance for further evolution